Bleacher Report - La Ligahttp://bleacherreport.com/
Bleacher Report - The open source sports networken-us30Real Madrid Defeat Leganes 3-1 Despite Resting Cristiano RonaldoTom Sunderland<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a> came back from a goal down and raced to a 3-1 win over Leganes on Wednesday to move back up to third in La Liga, though they remain 14 points off leaders Barcelona.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Los Blancos went down to an early strike from Unai Bustinza but hit back through Lucas Vazquez, Casemiro and <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/sergio-ramos">Sergio Ramos</a> to collect all three points on offer.</p>
<p>Real have now won their last four matches in succession and have earned some revenge over Leganes after the same opponent dumped them out of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals in January.</p>
<p>Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of the squad that travelled to Leganes, and <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/gareth-bale">Gareth Bale</a> was consigned to the bench as Vazquez and Marco Asensio were handed starts, with Isco floating behind striker Karim Benzema through the central channel.</p>
<p>With Welsh winger Bale among the replacements, manager Zinedine Zidane may have been left clamouring for reinforcements early on when Leganes took a shock lead inside six minutes.</p>
<p>Stand-in goalkeeper Kiko Casilla saw his defence come under pressure from an early corner, and Bustinza headed home his first-ever professional goal in most peculiar fashion, as shown by Spanish newspaper&nbsp;<em>Marca</em>:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>It took Real all of five minutes after that disappointment to get on the board themselves, however, and Leganes were to be held at fault for their own concession after surrendering the ball inside their own half.</p>
<p>That cheap loss of possession immediately came back to bite them as Benzema and Casemiro had a neat exchange before the latter found Vazquez, who made no mistake from close range. Football writer Kiyan Sobhani was full of praise for the youngster:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Last season proved to be a platform for Asensio's ascension among Real's first team, but 2017-18 has arguably seen Vazquez make better use of his opportunities, shown again as he had a hand in the team's second.</p>
<p>While Benzema's scoring numbers have been lacking somewhat this season&mdash;he has three league goals in 18 appearances this term&mdash;Spanish football writer Simon Harrison also lauded his input in the buildup to Casemiro's 29th-minute strike:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Leganes secured a 2-2 draw against Los Blancos at home to help knock Madrid out of the Copa del Rey only a few weeks ago, but the same result looked beyond them as the second half wore on and chances started to mount against them.</p>
<p>If the result weren't already beyond doubt at 2-1 up, Los Merengues were given the chance to make it so when Mateo Kovacic was bundled over in the opposition box with only a minute of normal time remaining.</p>
<p>With Ronaldo nowhere to be seen, it was Ramos who volunteered to slot home the spot-kick, and he dispatched it smartly into the bottom-right corner of Ivan Cuellar's goal.</p>
<p>Real, like the rest of La Liga, have now played 24 games but have won five fewer than Barcelona, meaning they'll require a mighty collapse from the Blaugrana if they're to hold on to any hope of a successful title defence.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Wed, 21 Feb 2018 14:47:26 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760749-real-madrid-defeat-leganes-3-1-despite-resting-cristiano-ronaldo
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760749-real-madrid-defeat-leganes-3-1-despite-resting-cristiano-ronaldohttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760749-real-madrid-defeat-leganes-3-1-despite-resting-cristiano-ronaldoSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaReal MadridBreaking NewsSergio RamosCasemiroAram MuradyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerBarcelona Transfer News: Arthur to Undergo Medical Amid Latest RumoursGill Clark<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"><span class="spellcheck">Gremio</span> midfielder Arthur is reportedly closing in on a move to Barcelona and is set to have a medical with Ernesto <span class="spellcheck">Valverde</span>'s side <span>on Wednesday</span>.</p>
<p>The two clubs have already agreed a deal worth &euro;40 million, and he is expected to move to the Camp <span class="spellcheck">Nou</span> in January 2019. Arthur is set to meet Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez again and will have a medical on Wednesday, according to <em>Sport</em>'s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/exclusive-arthur-will-take-his-barcelona-medical-on-wednesday-6639361"><span class="spellcheck">Joaquim</span> <span class="spellcheck">Piera</span></a>.</p>
<p>Brazilian football writer Paulo <span class="spellcheck">Freitas</span> showed how the deal breaks down:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"></p>
<p>Arthur is viewed as a similar type of player as Barcelona greats <span class="spellcheck">Xavi</span> Hernandez and Andres <span class="spellcheck">Iniesta</span>, and at just 21 years&nbsp; old, he looks to have a big future ahead of him. <span class="spellcheck">Barca</span> have never really found an adequate replacement for <span class="spellcheck">Xavi</span>, while <span class="spellcheck">Iniesta</span> will turn 34 in May and is heading towards the end of his illustrious career.</p>
<p>A move to the Camp <span class="spellcheck">Nou</span> would also allow Arthur to play alongside compatriot Philippe <span class="spellcheck">Coutinho</span>, which is good news for Brazilian football, according to&nbsp;<span class="spellcheck">Selecao</span> <span class="spellcheck">Brasileira</span>:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"></p>
<p>Barcelona are enjoying a superb season as they sit seven points clear at the top of La Liga and are into the final of the <span class="spellcheck">Copa</span> <span class="spellcheck">del</span> Rey. The team are also in a good position in the <span class="spellcheck">UEFA</span> Champions League, having drawn 1-1 in the first leg of their round-of-16 clash at <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/chelsea">Chelsea</a>.</p>
<p>However, <span class="spellcheck">Valverde</span> still appears to be searching for the right balance in midfield, and the team have not consistently produced their best free-flowing football, despite their superb results.</p>
<p>Rafael Hernandez of Barca fansite Grup 14 said the team need to shake up their midfield, even if they do have a successful campaign <strong>(Warning: Tweet contains NSFW language)</strong>:</p>
<img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"><p></p>
<p>Yet Barcelona will still have to wait some time before they can use Arthur, as he is not due to arrive until January. Their pursuit of the Brazilian appears to have been complicated by the fact the club's three non-EU spots in the squad are currently taken up by <span class="spellcheck">Coutinho</span>, <span class="spellcheck">Paulinho</span> and <span class="spellcheck">Yerry</span> Mina.</p>
<p>Per <em><span class="spellcheck">Mundo</span> <span class="spellcheck">Deportivo</span></em> (h/t <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/918205/Philippe-Coutinho-nationality-Barcelona-transfer">Joe Short</a> at the <em>Daily Express</em>), <span class="spellcheck">Coutinho</span> has said he can acquire a Portuguese passport through his wife <span class="spellcheck">Aine</span>, which should free up a spot for Arthur.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Wed, 21 Feb 2018 08:18:23 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760653-barcelona-transfer-news-arthur-to-undergo-medical-amid-latest-rumours
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760653-barcelona-transfer-news-arthur-to-undergo-medical-amid-latest-rumourshttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760653-barcelona-transfer-news-arthur-to-undergo-medical-amid-latest-rumoursSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaFC BarcelonaBreaking NewsTransfer NewsAram MuradyanEdgar MovsisyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerArthurThierry Henry Says Neymar Must Change Sport to Escape Lionel Messi's ShadowGill Clark<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">Former Barcelona striker Thierry Henry has said Neymar must change sport if he wants to step out of <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/lionel-messi-F">Lionel Messi</a>'s shadow.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Neymar left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2017, seemingly in a bid to increase his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or and to be able to lead his own team to glory.</p>
<p>However, Henry said, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/thierry-henrys-brutal-advice-to-neymar-to-get-out-of-messis-shadow-6638803"><em>Sport</em></a>:&nbsp;<span>"I don't know if Neymar left Barcelona to get out of the shadow of Messi. What is true is that all players are in the shadow of Messi, and if Neymar doesn't want to be, he should change sport."</span></p>
<p>The Brazil international has been a huge hit at PSG, and his effectiveness was shown by Squawka Football:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>However, the UEFA Champions League is the real prize for PSG, as the French club have never lifted the trophy. Neymar's arrival was expected to boost their chances, but they are at risk of being knocked out by <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a> in the round of 16.</p>
<p>PSG lost the first leg 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, meaning they face a tough test to progress against the current holders. Neymar also came in for criticism during that match, per Get French Football News:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Despite his impact at PSG, Neymar has already been linked with a move to Real Madrid. However, the Brazilian is expected to stay at the club, even if they are knocked out of the Champions League by Los Blancos, per <em>Telefoot</em> (h/t <a href="https://www.football-espana.net/70018/report-neymars-long-term-psg-plan">Football Espana</a>).</p>
<p>Unless Neymar can lead PSG to Champions League glory, he may need to move to a more high-profile club if he is to win the Ballon d'Or. The Brazilian's flair, talent and goalscoring ability mean he is expected to lift the prize at some point in the future, but he may also need to wait for Messi to slow down.</p>
<p>The Argentina international celebrated his 30th birthday in June 2017 but is enjoying another superb season. La Liga showed he is the top goalscorer and assist-maker in the Spanish top flight:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Barcelona are also thriving despite the departure of Neymar. The club are unbeaten in La Liga, seven points clear at the top of the table and also in the final of the Copa del Rey. Ernesto Valverde's team are also in good shape in the Champions League, after a 1-1 draw at <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/chelsea">Chelsea</a> in the first leg of their last-16 clash on Tuesday night.</p>
<p>Unsurprisingly, it was Messi who salvaged the result for Barcelona with another landmark goal, per Opta:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Messi has been the driving force behind Barcelona's success this season, propelling them towards silverware and highlighting once again he is one of the greatest players the game has seen.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Wed, 21 Feb 2018 05:37:33 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760640-thierry-henry-says-neymar-must-change-sport-to-escape-lionel-messis-shadow
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760640-thierry-henry-says-neymar-must-change-sport-to-escape-lionel-messis-shadowhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760640-thierry-henry-says-neymar-must-change-sport-to-escape-lionel-messis-shadowSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaBreaking NewsLigue 1Paris Saint-Germain FCAram MuradyanEdgar MovsisyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerNeymar Lionel MessiZinedine Zidane Praises Gareth Bale Amid Real Madrid Exit RumoursChristopher Simpson<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">Real Madrid boss <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/zinedine-zidane">Zinedine Zidane</a> has praised <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/gareth-bale">Gareth Bale</a>'s attitude amid rumours linking him with a move away from the club.&nbsp;</p>
<p>According to <em>Marca</em>'s <a href="http://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2018/02/20/5a8c16f0e2704eb86f8b4805.html" target="_blank">Pablo Polo</a>, Zidane said:</p>
<p><em>"Gareth is the way he is, he tries to do his best and that is all. There is a lot of talk about him one way or another, but the important thing is to realise that the team is very important.&nbsp;I ask them to give their all and he tries to do that."</em></p>
<p><em>Mundo Deportivo</em>'s <a href="http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/real-madrid/20180221/44923403855/benzema-y-bale-ya-saben-que-el-real-madrid-los-traspasara-en-verano.html" target="_blank">Cristina Cubero</a> (h/t <a href="http://metro.co.uk/2018/02/20/gareth-bale-leave-real-madrid-working-joining-premier-league-club-7328778/" target="_blank"><em>Metro</em></a>) reported Bale will be sold this summer and is pursuing either a move to Manchester United or a return to Tottenham Hotspur.</p>
<p>Fellow Spanish outlet <a href="https://en.as.com/en/2018/02/18/football/1518944234_398861.html" target="_blank"><em>AS</em></a> recently reported the club were unhappy with Bale's demeanour after he was benched during Real's 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League.</p>
<p>The Welshman was replaced in the starting lineup by Isco:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Bale has produced a strong return in front of goal this season despite spending much of the campaign struggling for fitness, per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>He's shown himself to be capable of world-class performances during his time in the Spanish capital, and he has racked up 76 goals and 57 assists for them in 172 outings.</p>
<p>As such, his agent Jonathan Barnett believes he should be worth the same as Neymar if he were to move on, per <em>Tuttosport</em> (h/t ESPN UK):</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>The winger's injury record is a concern, though. Last season, he managed just 27 appearances in all competitions, having played only 31 times in the previous campaign.</p>
<p>Given he struggles to be available for more than half a season, Real are unlikely to get anything close to Neymar's world-record fee if they try to sell him.</p>
<p>However, at a more reasonable price, he could be a worthwhile purchase for Spurs or United.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Wed, 21 Feb 2018 05:00:19 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760639-zinedine-zidane-praises-gareth-bale-amid-real-madrid-exit-rumours
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760639-zinedine-zidane-praises-gareth-bale-amid-real-madrid-exit-rumourshttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760639-zinedine-zidane-praises-gareth-bale-amid-real-madrid-exit-rumoursSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaZinedine ZidaneGareth BaleBreaking NewsTransfer NewsAram MuradyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerReal Madrid Transfer News: Eden Hazard 'Practically' Sealed, Isco Swap RumoursTom Sunderland<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a> have "practically" sealed a summer deal to sign <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/chelsea">Chelsea</a> winger <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/eden-hazard">Eden Hazard</a>, according to reports from Spain, and Isco is said to be open to being used as a makeweight in the transfer.</p>
<p>Spanish website Diario Gol reported Real president Florentino Perez will travel to London for talks over a transfer and is said to be preparing an offer of &pound;100 million plus <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/gareth-bale">Gareth Bale</a> moving in the opposite direction (h/t <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/921546/Eden-Hazard-Chelsea-Real-Madrid-Transfer-Florentino-Perez-Diario-Gol-Rumours-Gossip" target="_blank">Alex Harris</a> of the&nbsp;<em>Daily Express</em>).&nbsp;</p>
<p>But Isco could jump above team-mate Bale if he decides a move to Stamford Bridge could be a positive one for his career, with friend Alvaro Morata understood to be campaigning for him to join him in west London.</p>
<p>There have been struggles under Blues boss Antonio Conte this season, but Hazard has remained one of Chelsea's most important players, if not the most essential, as Goal's Nizaar Kinsella recently enthused:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>It's thought Los Merengues are prepared for a blockbuster summer of transfer activity after enduring a disappointing 2017-18 campaign up to this point.</p>
<p>Hazard failed to rule out the possibility of an exit when he appeared on French television show&nbsp;<em>Telefoot</em>&nbsp;recently and said&nbsp;(h/t MailOnline's&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5406567/Eden-Hazard-leave-Chelsea-amid-Real-Madrid-interest.html" target="_blank">Amitai Winehouse</a>):</p>
<p><em>"I still have two years left on my contract. I feel very good over here. The fans love me, my family enjoys life over here. We will see.</em></p>
<p><em>"In football anything can happen. But in football nothing can happen too. Every year they talk about Real or PSG. And when I want to change clubs, I will. But at the moment I'm good where I am."</em></p>
<p>There have long been links between Real and Hazard, who is seen to some as a potential successor to Cristiano Ronaldo, although the winger spoke as a loyal Chelsea servant when analysing his side's upcoming fixture slate, via Goal:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Some at Stamford Bridge may prefer Chelsea get their hands on a natural wing replacement like Bale in the event Hazard were to leave, although Isco hasn't endured the same injury troubles and is a talent in his own right.</p>
<p>ESPN FC recently addressed the speculation tying him to an exit from the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and suggested why this could be the summer he leaves Los Blancos:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Manager Zinedine Zidane will be under pressure to recruit the right players in a bid to boost prospects for next season, and he has a selection of players at his disposal whom he can use to sweeten a deal for Hazard.</p>
<p>Chelsea aren't likely to be tempted by offers they feel don't properly match Hazard's quality, particularly in a transfer economy still adjusting to Neymar's &pound;200 million Paris Saint-Germain switch last summer.</p>
<p>The offer of Isco or Bale coming in return will sweeten any prospective departure for Belgian Hazard, although the Blues will assuredly attempt to steer his view clear of the Chelsea exit altogether.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Tue, 20 Feb 2018 15:32:14 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760535-real-madrid-transfer-news-eden-hazard-practically-sealed-isco-swap-rumours
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760535-real-madrid-transfer-news-eden-hazard-practically-sealed-isco-swap-rumourshttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760535-real-madrid-transfer-news-eden-hazard-practically-sealed-isco-swap-rumoursSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaReal MadridGareth BaleBreaking NewsTransfer NewsEden HazardIscoAram MuradyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerLeganes vs. Real Madrid: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV InfoChristopher Simpson<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a> will play their game in hand in La Liga on Wednesday when they travel to the&nbsp;<span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Estadio</span></span> Municipal <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">de</span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Butarque</span></span> to face <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Leganes</span></span>.</span></p>
<p><span>Los <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Blancos</span></span> have been a game down on their rivals since December because of their involvement in the <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">FIFA</span></span> Club World Cup, and they will move into third place if they win here.</span></p>
<p><span>Read on for the latest team news and a preview of the contest, but first here are the viewing details:</span></p>
<p><span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span><strong>Date:</strong> Wednesday, February 21</span></p>
<p><span><strong>Time:</strong> 5:45 p.m. GMT/12:45 p.m. ET</span></p>
<p><span><strong>TV:</strong> Sky Sports, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">beIN</span></span> Sports USA</span></p>
<p><span><strong>Live Stream:</strong> <a href="http://go.sky.com/" target="_blank">Sky Go</a> (UK), <a href="https://connect.bein.net/en/" target="_blank"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">beIN</span></span> Sports Connect USA</a></span></p>
<p><span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><strong>Team News</strong></p>
<p><span>According to <em>The Sun</em>'s <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/5611409/leganes-vs-real-madrid-live-stream-tv-channel-kick-off-time-and-team-news-for-the-la-liga-clash/" target="_blank">Helen Rowe-Willcocks</a>, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Leganes</span></span> will be without&nbsp;<span>Darko <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Brasanac</span></span> and Jon <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Ander</span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Serantes</span></span> as both are nursing shoulder injuries, but&nbsp;<span>Alexander <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Szymanowski</span></span> and Mauro dos Santos could feature, having returned to training following issues of their own.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>As for Real, they will be without Toni <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Kroos</span></span>, who remains absent with a knee injury, while Marcelo's hamstring injury in Sunday's clash with <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-betis">Real <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Betis</span></span></a> has put him on the sidelines.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>Jesus Vallejo is also out with a muscle problem, per Rowe-Willcocks.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><strong>Preview</strong></p>
<p><span>Real have virtually no chance of winning La Liga at this stage<span>&mdash;they will be 14 points behind Barcelona even if they beat <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Leganes</span></span><span>&mdash;but it's vital they pick up three points on Wednesday.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>If they can do so, they will be nine points clear of fifth-placed <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/sevilla"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sevilla</span></span></a> and can enjoy some breathing room in the race for <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">UEFA</span></span> Champions League qualification.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>Following their 5-3 win over <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Betis</span></span> on Sunday, it's clear Los <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Blancos</span></span> have improved dramatically in an attacking sense:</span></span></span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span><span><span>Marco <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Asensio</span></span><span>&mdash;who made a significant impact off the bench in their Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain<span>&mdash;once again stood out as he struck twice.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Squawka</span></span> Football supplied the numbers behind his superb performance:</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>Football journalist David <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Cartlidge</span></span> hailed the Spaniard:</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>It's likely he will be deployed again on Wednesday, and if he is, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Leganes</span></span> can expect all manner of problems.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>However, while Madrid have improved going forward, it's evident they have not done the same at the back.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>Real have not kept a clean sheet in La Liga since December 9, and they've shipped seven goals in their last three.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>That will give <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Leganes</span></span><span>&mdash;who beat Real 2-1 at the Santiago <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Bernabeu</span></span> in the <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Copa</span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">del</span></span> Rey on January 24<span>&mdash;great encouragement, so the champions need to improve defensively if they are to make sure of a win.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Tue, 20 Feb 2018 02:00:03 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760288-leganes-vs-real-madrid-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-info
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760288-leganes-vs-real-madrid-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-infohttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760288-leganes-vs-real-madrid-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-infoSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaReal MadridPreview/PredictionMarceloToni KroosMarco AsensioLa Liga Results 2018: Full Table and Scores After Final Week 24 MatchRob Blanchette<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><span class="spellcheck">Getafe</span> defeated <span class="spellcheck">Celta</span> <span class="spellcheck">Vigo</span> 3-0 in La Liga <span>on Monday</span>, as the hosts leapfrogged the visitors in the latest standings.</p>
<p>Angel Rodriguez collected a brace as the club from the outskirts of Madrid cantered to an impressive win.</p>
<p>Barcelona remain in control at the summit of the division&nbsp;and are seven points clear of <span class="spellcheck">Atletico</span> Madrid.</p>
<p>Here are the full results from this week's La Liga action:</p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Week 24 Results</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck">Las</span> <span class="spellcheck">Palmas</span> 1-2&nbsp;<span class="spellcheck">Sevilla</span></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span> 0-2 Barcelona</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck">Alaves</span> 1-0 <span class="spellcheck">Deportivo</span> La <span class="spellcheck">Coruna</span></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck">Malaga</span> 1-2 Valencia</p>
<p>Real <span class="spellcheck">Sociedad</span> 3-0 <span class="spellcheck">Levante</span></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck">Atletico</span> Madrid 2-0 Athletic Bilbao</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck">Espanyol</span> 1-1 Villarreal</p>
<p>Real <span class="spellcheck">Betis</span> 3-5 Real Madrid</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck">Getafe</span> 3-0 <span class="spellcheck">Celta</span> <span class="spellcheck">Vigo</span></p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>La Liga Standings (Goal Difference)</strong></span></p>
<p>1. Barcelona 62 (51)</p>
<p>2. <span class="spellcheck">Atletico</span> Madrid 55 (27)</p>
<p>3. Valencia 46 (19)</p>
<p>4. Real Madrid 45 (29)</p>
<p>5.<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck">Sevilla</span><span>&nbsp;</span>39 (-4)</p>
<p>6. Villarreal 38 (6)</p>
<p>7. <span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span> 35 (-4)</p>
<p>8. <span class="spellcheck">Girona</span> 34 (4)</p>
<p>9. <span class="spellcheck">Getafe</span> 33 (8)</p>
<p>10. Real <span class="spellcheck">Betis</span> 33 (-9)</p>
<p>11. <span class="spellcheck">Celta</span> <span class="spellcheck">Vigo</span> 32 (4)</p>
<p>12.&nbsp;<span>Real <span class="spellcheck">Sociedad</span> 29 (1)</span></p>
<p>13. <span class="spellcheck">Leganes</span> 29 (-5)</p>
<p>14. Athletic Bilbao 28 (-3)</p>
<p>15. <span class="spellcheck">Alaves</span> 28 (-11)</p>
<p>16. <span class="spellcheck">Espanyol</span> 27 (-10)</p>
<p>17. <span class="spellcheck">Levante</span> 20 (-17)</p>
<p>18. <span class="spellcheck">Las</span> <span class="spellcheck">Palmas</span> 18 (-34)</p>
<p>19. <span class="spellcheck">Deportivo</span> La <span class="spellcheck">Coruna</span> 17 (-29)</p>
<p>20. <span class="spellcheck">Malaga</span> 13 (-23)</p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Monday Recap</strong></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck">Getafe</span> made short work of <span class="spellcheck">Celta</span>, striding to a three-goal success and clean sheet at the intimate&nbsp;Coliseum Alfonso Perez.</p>
<p>The Deep Blues were in control throughout, and Angel broke the deadlock after 37 minutes as the hosts accelerated.</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck">Getafe</span> had gone close through efforts from&nbsp;<span><span class="spellcheck">Faycal</span> <span class="spellcheck">Fajr</span> and&nbsp;<span class="spellcheck">Amath</span> <span class="spellcheck">Ndiaye</span>&nbsp;but were finally rewarded with the opener.</span></p>
<p><span><span>Jorge Molina was the danger man in the second half, and the 35-year-old wrote his name on the <span class="spellcheck">scoresheet</span> six minutes after the interval.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>The veteran linked with Angel&nbsp;and made no mistake with his effort to make it 2-0.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span class="spellcheck">Getafe</span> continued to look dangerous and wrapped up the result with five minutes remaining.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Once again, it was Angel who provided the ammunition, and the 30-year-old journeyman ran clear of the defence to fire the ball into the corner of the net.</span></span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Mon, 19 Feb 2018 18:09:49 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760348-la-liga-results-2018-full-table-and-scores-after-final-week-24-match
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760348-la-liga-results-2018-full-table-and-scores-after-final-week-24-matchhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760348-la-liga-results-2018-full-table-and-scores-after-final-week-24-matchWorld FootballLa LigaGame RecapWhy Barcelona Have Found Life Easier Without NeymarRichard Fitzpatrick<p class="ui-droppable" dir="ltr"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">For a moment in early August 2017, it looked as if the skies over Barcelona were going to cave in.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Paris Saint-Germain had just nicked Neymar Jr. from <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/fc-barcelona">FC Barcelona</a>'s ranks for a sum ($263 million) that more than doubled the previous world-record transfer fee. The city of Barcelona was in shock at what Spanish sports newspaper <a href="http://www.neogol.com/neymar-se-va-al-psg-fichaje-mas-caro-historia/"><em>Marca</em></a> described on its front page as "the transfer that changed the history of football."</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Catalan paper <a href="http://www.neogol.com/neymar-se-va-al-psg-fichaje-mas-caro-historia/"><em>Diario Sport</em></a> expressed its feelings more bitterly with a headline that spat: "Good riddance!"</p>
<p dir="ltr">Barca, who have won four Champions League titles during <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/lionel-messi-F">Lionel Messi</a>'s reign, accumulate star players. To lose Neymar&mdash;the player earmarked to assume Messi's mantle in a few years' time&mdash;in such a bold swoop was inexplicable.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The fact that <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a> were in the midst of the most decorated year in their history compounded matters. A couple of weeks later, Barca went down 5-1 to their ancient rivals over two legs in the Spanish Super Cup final, which looked ominous for the season ahead.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Several months on, against the backdrop of Real Madrid's shambolic domestic season, Barca are flying&mdash;they are top of the La Liga table, have the Copa del Rey final in April and are favourites to progress against <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/chelsea">Chelsea</a>, whom they face at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night in the Champions League knockout stages.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It seems preposterous, but it could be argued that Barcelona are stronger without Neymar, who scored more than a century of goals during four seasons with the club, per Opta (h/t<em> <a href="https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/105-goals-41-msn-assists-opta-breakdown-neymars-barcelona-career">FourFourTwo</a>&nbsp;</em>magazine).</p>
<p dir="ltr">A few weeks ago, Messi conceded as much in an interview with <em>World Soccer</em> magazine (h/t <a href="http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/messi-explains-how-losing-neymar-has-helped-barcelona/g7qwmt9eel9f1j15tvfcsfti4">Goal</a>), maintaining the team is "more balanced" since Neymar's departure.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Coach Ernesto Valverde has shifted the access of the team&mdash;now that the vaunted Messi-Suarez-Neymar trident up front has been dismantled&mdash;back towards midfield. Jordi Alba, who lost his starting place last season, is thriving again in the space vacated by Neymar on the left flank.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"Barcelona is better without Neymar," says Diego Torres, a journalist with <em>El Pais</em>. "It's a paradox because the team is stronger with a player on the team instead who is worse. With Philippe Coutinho or Ousmane Dembele&mdash;players who were bought in his place but are inferior&mdash;the team is better fundamentally because Neymar looks at football as a business, not as a sport, which goes against all the feelings of solidarity, commitment, togetherness and responsibility that is essential for the functioning of a team.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p dir="ltr">"He's a very intelligent guy with great self-confidence. He's narcissistic with an urge to release himself from the obligations related to the professional life&mdash;to eat properly, not to drink, to sleep well, the obligation to train every day at a high level, to assume the responsibility to be available to play every game. Neymar wants to avoid this.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"Also professional football is very demanding. It's not easy to endure the pressure. Neymar has been a professional since he was 14 years old. He has spent a lot of time playing at this level. I don't think he has a vocation to play into his thirties. For me, the objective of Neymar is to make as much money with the least responsibility. It's not bad for him to think this way if there are people prepared to pay him for it."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Joaquim Piera, a Catalan journalist for <em>Diario Sport</em>, mentions a secret meeting Neymar had with his father, his agent Wagner Ribeiro and Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain, aboard the Qatari businessman's yacht in Ibiza in July 2016, which was followed up by a second meeting in Sao Paulo, according to <em><a href="http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2016/09/14/57d90f51468aebf92d8b45a6.html">Marca</a></em>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"It was a tremendous deception," says Piera. "They met in a moment when Neymar was negotiating his renewal with Barcelona. It was improper behaviour for a crack. I couldn't, for example, imagine Cristiano Ronaldo in the yacht of any other president who is not Real Madrid's one."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Torres references a league game that Neymar missed last season when the league title was in the balance. It was a week that encapsulated his enigma.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In the historic, midweek comeback against Paris Saint-Germain at the Camp Nou in the Champions League last-16 second leg, Neymar was unstoppable&mdash;scoring two and providing an assist in a seven-minute whirlwind that concluded the match, 6-1, in Barca's favour.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Then he cried off&mdash;citing an alleged abductor muscle injury&mdash;for that weekend's trip to A Coruna.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Catalan press smelled a rat. <em><a href="https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/neymar-podra-fiesta-cumpleanos-hermana-sao-paulo-5867331">Diario Sport</a></em>&nbsp;noted how for two years in a row&mdash;in March 2015 and March 2016&mdash;he was conveniently suspended for the league matches that coincided with his younger sister Rafaella Beckran's birthday, facilitating his release by the club to return to Sao Paulo for her birthday&nbsp;parties.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For a third year running, he was again at his sister's side as she celebrated her 21st birthday in Barcelona. <a href="http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20170311/42794162861/las-fotos-del-cumpleanos-catalan-de-la-hermana-de-neymar.html" target="_blank"><em>Mundo Deportivo</em></a> reproduced Instagram pictures from her party the day after; later that evening, Barca lost 2-1 to Deportivo La Coruna. The three points Barca squandered against a team mired in a relegation battle were the difference between winning and losing that season's league title.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"Without Neymar, a dressing room is more governable for whatever trainer coaches the team,"&nbsp;Piera says. "The type of leadership that Neymar exercises in the dressing room is not positive for the group because of the privileges he obtains. The Barcelona dressing room is more peaceful without him.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"All of the anxiety that Neymar creates with his need to be prominent on social media didn't lead to calmness around the club. The polemics of Gerard Pique on social media, for example, tie in with a lot of the feelings of Barcelona's fans and the philosophy of Catalan people. All of the celebrity noise that Neymar generates is only created to serve his ego."</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Piera&mdash;who has been living in Sao Paulo since 2003, the year Neymar joined the youth academy at Santos&mdash;says that Neymar is a rare case in the history of Brazilian "super-cracks" because of the circumstances of his standing at Santos.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"He was a god in Santos," he says. "He could act on a whim because he was practically responsible for 25 percent of the earnings at the club."</p>
<p dir="ltr">When Neymar graduated to the Brazil national team in August 2010, aged only 18, he arrived in a vacuum after the country's poor showing in that year's World Cup finals in South Africa. He had no mentors on the team. Almost immediately, he became the team's reference, adorning the cover of <em>Time</em> magazine a year before the country hosted the 2014 World Cup.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Neymar didn't find a mentor at Barcelona either when he joined in 2013. Messi, who had already won four Ballon&nbsp;d'Or awards by then, was too introverted to provide that role, although Piera argues that Neymar already reckoned himself to be a better footballer than Messi, which is part of the belief or ambition that propelled Neymar to leave the club last summer for PSG, where he has become the club's totem.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"People consider Neymar to be a genius at football, the heir apparent of Cristiano and Messi. He has all the conditions, the qualities to be this kind of important player, but the problem is his character," says Torres.</p>
<p dir="ltr">There have been several wayward South American geniuses that have played with Barcelona during the club's recent history. They all differ in one key aspect to Neymar&mdash;they all had a body of work to their names before they veered off course.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"There have been many of them&mdash;footballers with a poetic spirit, bohemian, undisciplined, a bit crazy, wicked," Torres says. "<a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronaldinho">Ronaldinho</a>, Ronaldo Nazario, Diego Maradona. All of them are comparable&mdash;malditos, flawed geniuses who don't respect everyday norms. They were a bit dissolute, but first of all they were good professionals.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"Maradona in Barcelona always had respect for training, for the coach, for his team-mates, for the codes that permitted the team to function well. Ronaldinho&nbsp;was well conformed. Ronaldo Nazario was a very disciplined footballer that played in two World Cup finals. He played in Italy with Inter where it is very disciplined; and he won Ballons d'Or and a World Cup.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"They all had lives that were more or less organised; then towards the end of their careers&mdash;after they achieved big things&mdash;they relaxed their professional habits. But when they were 25, 26 years of age, they were focused on their sporting objectives."</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p dir="ltr">Neymar turned 26 on February 5, 2018. He may well crown his career in the summer by leading Brazil to a World Cup win. With PSG, though, he has his work cut out to prevent the club failing again to trouble the final rounds of the Champions League, and he is in danger of squandering the best years of his career on a project that has a whiff of disarray and decadence about it.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Neymar's agent,&nbsp;Ribeiro, was quoted last week in an article in<em> <a href="https://elpais.com/deportes/2018/02/12/actualidad/1518467012_638195.html">El Pais</a></em> by Torres&mdash;which gives an insight into the unruly lifestyle the player leads in the French capital, including details of his birthday party, which carried on for a few days&mdash;with a telling comment.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He was asked about the prospects of his player's moving to Real Madrid next season, which, for Ribeiro, dredged up memories of Neymar's time at Barcelona. "No way! He already knows how big clubs are. Where will they allow him to live as he lives in Paris?"</p>
<p dir="ltr">Piera says a comparison with Coutinho, Neymar's team-mate on Brazil national teams since the pair were teenagers, is instructive: "Coutinho said a great phrase at his presentation. He was asked: 'Why did you leave <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/liverpool">Liverpool</a> to come to Barca?' He responded: 'Barca is Barca.' It's a huge slogan&mdash;'Barca is Barca'. That intangible thing&mdash;the importance of the club, its history&mdash;brought Coutinho to Barcelona. It's something Neymar didn't understand and is fundamental in understanding his departure from the club."</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>All quotes and information obtained firsthand unless otherwise indicated.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Follow Richard on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Richard_Fitz">@Richard_Fitz</a></em></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Mon, 19 Feb 2018 06:48:35 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760246-why-barcelona-have-found-life-easier-without-neymar
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760246-why-barcelona-have-found-life-easier-without-neymarhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760246-why-barcelona-have-found-life-easier-without-neymarSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaFC BarcelonaBreaking NewsAram MuradyanEdgar MovsisyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerBarcelona Reportedly Closing In on Signing Gremio's Arthur MeloRory Marsden<p class="ui-droppable">Barcelona are reportedly set to beat a number of Premier League clubs to the signing of <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Gremio</span></span> midfielder&nbsp;Arthur <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Melo</span></span> after the Brazil youth international confirmed his preference<span>&nbsp;is to switch to the Camp <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Nou</span></span>.</span></p>
<p><span>According to&nbsp;<em><a href="http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20180219/44892872137/arthur-barca-fichaje-gremio-robert-segura-cury-grau.html" target="_blank"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Mundo</span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Deportivo</span></span></a>&nbsp;</em>(via <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/barcelona-see-premier-league-competition-12049543" target="_blank">James Whaling</a> of the <em>Mirror</em>), <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Barca</span></span> technical secretary Robert Fernandez is in Brazil to complete the deal to sign the 21-year-old, who has also been linked with a number of England's biggest clubs, including <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/manchester-united">Manchester United</a>.<em><br></em><a href="http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20180219/44892872137/arthur-barca-fichaje-gremio-robert-segura-cury-grau.html" target="_blank"></a></span></p>
<p>The expectation is a deal that would see the midfielder join Barcelona in the summer <span>will be agreed</span>, per Whaling.</p>
<p><span>Arthur has been linked to <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Barca</span></span> for some time, and it was reported in late January that negotiations&nbsp;for his signing were expected in February, with his release clause set at &euro;50 million (&pound;44.3 million), per&nbsp;<span><a href="https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/gremio-opens-the-door-to-arthur-6583074" target="_blank"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Joaquim</span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Piera</span></span></a> of&nbsp;<em>Sport</em>.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>He was key to <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Gremio</span></span>'s triumph in the&nbsp;<span>2017&nbsp;</span><span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Copa</span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Libertadores</span></span><span>&nbsp;back in November, playing a starring role in the final despite having to be substituted in the second leg because of injury.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span>Per <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Piera</span></span>,&nbsp;<span>Fernandez<span>&nbsp;previously compared Arthur to Barcelona legends <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Xavi</span></span> and Andres <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Iniesta</span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>It is also no surprise <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Barca</span></span> are looking to sign a similar type of player to that pair. At 33, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Iniesta</span></span>'s importance at the club in a playing capacity is diminishing.&nbsp;<span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Xavi</span></span>, 37, left the Camp <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Nou</span></span> in 2015 for Qatari club Al-Sadd, and he's said this will be his final season before&nbsp;retirement, per&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41941578">BBC Sport</a>.</p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Arthur is capable of playing in a number of different positions, but he is most comfortable as a deep-lying playmaker.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>In both legs of the&nbsp;<span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Copa</span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Libertadores</span></span>, for example, he started alongside defensive midfielder&nbsp;<span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Jailson</span></span> in a 4-2-3-1 formation.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Ernesto Valverde's Barcelona squad is strong, but the side lacks depth in the engine room, with&nbsp;<span>Andre <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Gomes</span></span> looking increasingly like a&nbsp;<span>dead weight.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Arthur could be an exciting addition to the team as a potential long-term successor to&nbsp;<span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Iniesta</span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Mon, 19 Feb 2018 06:04:51 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760258-barcelona-reportedly-closing-in-on-signing-gremios-arthur-melo
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760258-barcelona-reportedly-closing-in-on-signing-gremios-arthur-melohttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760258-barcelona-reportedly-closing-in-on-signing-gremios-arthur-meloSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaFC BarcelonaBreaking NewsTransfer NewsAram MuradyanEdgar MovsisyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerArthurReal Madrid Fear 'Really, Really Bad News' on Marcelo Injury in Real Betis WinRory Marsden<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a> left-back Marcelo was forced off through injury as Los <span class="spellcheck">Blancos</span> beat Real <span class="spellcheck">Betis</span> 5-3 in La Liga on Sunday, and it is feared the Brazil international's&nbsp;<span>problem could be "really, really bad."</span></p>
<p><span>He went down clutching his hamstring in the 26th minute and was replaced by&nbsp;<span>Theo Hernandez after failing to walk off the knock.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Per&nbsp;<a href="https://en.as.com/en/2018/02/18/football/1518989151_854906.html" target="_blank"><em>AS</em></a>, Real's&nbsp;<span>director of institutional relations, Emilio <span class="spellcheck">Butragueno</span>, did not give a positive update on Marcelo's condition after the frenetic encounter at the&nbsp;<span><span class="spellcheck">Estadio</span> Benito <span class="spellcheck">Villamarin</span>: "We need to wait and see what the doctors say.&nbsp;He's had to leave the pitch, and it's really, really bad news. In 48 hours we'll know the exact extent of the injury."</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span>Los <span class="spellcheck">Blancos</span> manager <span class="spellcheck">Zinedine</span> <span class="spellcheck">Zidane</span>, though, was more optimistic, per&nbsp;<em>AS</em>: "Hopefully Marcelo's [injury] isn't much. We'll see tomorrow.&nbsp;He's said that he feels it isn't much, but we'll see over the coming days."</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span class="spellcheck">Zidane</span>'s side were trailing 2-1 at half-time against <span class="spellcheck">Betis</span>, but second-half goals from Sergio Ramos, Marco <span class="spellcheck">Asensio</span>, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim <span class="spellcheck">Benzema</span> saw them to a crucial victory.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span><span><span><span>Though the league title is out of reach&mdash;they are 17 points behind leaders Barcelona&mdash;Real sit in fourth, six points ahead of fifth-place&nbsp;<a href="http://bleacherreport.com/sevilla"><span class="spellcheck">Sevilla</span></a> with a game in hand.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span>Barring any major disasters, Real should be able to secure a top-four finish in La Liga, an accomplishment that has looked under threat at times during a challenging domestic campaign.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span>As a result, Real's main focus for the remainder of 2017-18 is to attempt to win the <span class="spellcheck">UEFA</span> Champions League for the third season running.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span>The Madrid giants have a 3-1 lead over Paris Saint-Germain from the first leg of their last-16 tie, but <span class="spellcheck">Zidane</span> will still want his best side available&nbsp;for the second leg on March 6.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span>That side includes Marcelo, who has been one of Real's most consistent performers while they have enjoyed huge success in recent campaigns.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span>Quality cover for the 29-year-old is somewhat lacking in <span class="spellcheck">Zidane</span>'s squad.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span>Real can likely navigate their upcoming Liga matches against <span class="spellcheck">Leganes</span>, <span class="spellcheck">Alaves</span>, <span class="spellcheck">Espanyol</span> and <span class="spellcheck">Getafe</span> without Marcelo, but they will want him back to face <span class="spellcheck">PSG</span>.</span></span></span></span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Mon, 19 Feb 2018 04:21:22 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760256-real-madrid-fear-really-really-bad-news-on-marcelo-injury-in-real-betis-win
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760256-real-madrid-fear-really-really-bad-news-on-marcelo-injury-in-real-betis-winhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760256-real-madrid-fear-really-really-bad-news-on-marcelo-injury-in-real-betis-winSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaReal MadridZinedine ZidaneBreaking NewsAram MuradyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerMarcelo Vieira da Silva JuniorLa Liga Table 2018 Week 24: Standings and Final Scores After SundayRob Blanchette<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a> were given a scare after falling behind to <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-betis">Real <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Betis</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a> in La Liga on Sunday, but Los <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Blancos</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> fought back to win 5-3 on the road.</p>
<p><span>Marco <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Asensio</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> netted twice in the match as Real recovered from a 2-1 half-time deficit, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring in the second half.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/atletico-madrid"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Atletico</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> Madrid</a> collected a simple victory at home to Athletic Bilbao, winning 2-0 in the Spanish capital.</p>
<p><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-sociedad">Real <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sociedad</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a> were comfortable as they welcomed lowly <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/levante"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Levante</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a>, completing a 3-0 win without having to move through the gears.</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Espanyol</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> and Villarreal couldn't be separated in their clash in Catalonia as the teams drew 1-1.</p>
<p>Here are Sunday's results and latest standings:</p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Sunday's La Liga Results</strong></span></p>
<p>Real <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sociedad</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 3-0 <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Levante</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Atletico</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> Madrid 2-0 Athletic Bilbao</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Espanyol</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 1-1 Villarreal</p>
<p>Real <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Betis</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 3-5 Real Madrid</p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>La Liga Standings (Goal Difference)</strong></span></p>
<p>1. Barcelona 62 (51)</p>
<p>2. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Atletico</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> Madrid 55 (27)</p>
<p>3. Valencia 46 (19)</p>
<p>4. Real Madrid 45 (29)</p>
<p>5. <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/sevilla"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sevilla</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a> 39 (-4)</p>
<p>6. Villarreal 38 (6)</p>
<p>7. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 35 (-4)</p>
<p>8. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Girona</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 34 (4)</p>
<p>9. Real <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Betis</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 33 (-9)</p>
<p>10. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Celta</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Vigo</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 32 (7)</p>
<p>11. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Getafe</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 30 (5)</p>
<p>12.&nbsp;<span>Real <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sociedad</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 29 (1)</span></p>
<p>13. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Leganes</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 29 (-5)</p>
<p>14. Athletic Bilbao 28 (-3)</p>
<p>15. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Alaves</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 28 (-11)</p>
<p>16. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Espanyol</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 27 (-10)</p>
<p>17. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Levante</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 20 (-17)</p>
<p>18. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Las</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Palmas</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 18 (-34)</p>
<p>19. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Deportivo</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> La <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Coruna</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 17 (-29)</p>
<p>20. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Malaga</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 13 (-23)</p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Sunday Recap</strong></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Real Madrid were forced to fight back on their travels at <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Betis</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>, as the Spanish and European champions recovered from a 2-1 deficit at the interval.</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Asensio</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;gave Los <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Blancos</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> the lead after just 11 minutes, but the home side quickly recovered from the setback to take control.</span></p>
<p><span>Algerian full-back <span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Aissa</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> Mandi&nbsp;</span>stunned Real with an equaliser after 34 minutes, and&nbsp;<span>Nacho put the ball into his own net three minutes later to make it 2-1 to <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Betis</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Real coach <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Zinedine</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Zidane</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> was animated in his technical&nbsp;area in the second half, and his side quickly responded with a quick double to ease tensions.</span></span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span><span>Sergio Ramos rose above his marker to head home five minutes into the second half, and the lead was claimed as&nbsp;<span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Asensio</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> netted shortly before the hour mark.<span><br></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span>The game had suddenly turned full circle, and Real appeared hungry as they chased more goals.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Ronaldo had skated around the periphery of the match, but the Portuguese legend made no mistake as he fired home after 65 minutes.</span></span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span>The game was provided a late twist as <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Betis</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> were rewarded for their positivity.&nbsp;Sergio Leon found the back of the net to make it 4-3, as the home fans burst back into life in the final moments after a period of calm.</span></p>
<p><span><span>Real had the last laugh as substitute&nbsp;Karim <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Benzema</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> burst forward, and the striker put the game to bed with his team's fifth.</span></span></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Atletico</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> left it late in their match at the&nbsp;<span>Wanda <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Metropolitano</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>, as they scored twice in the second half to beat Athletic Club.</span></p>
<p><span>Antoine <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Griezmann</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> fed&nbsp;Kevin <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Gameiro</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> for the opener after 67 minutes, with the visitors' rearguard action holding firm through half-time.</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span><span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Gameiro</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> went from goalscorer to provider with 10 minutes remaining as he set up Diego Costa to double Atleti's lead.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Real <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sociedad</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> were quickly out of the traps in their encounter with <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Levante</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>, grabbing a 10th-minute lead through&nbsp;Xabi Prieto's penalty.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Imanol</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Agirretxe</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> had been fouled by&nbsp;<span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sasa</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Lukic</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> in the box, allowing the hosts to claim the best possible start.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Levante</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> played like a team near the bottom of the league, and La Real were two goals up after&nbsp;<span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Juanmi</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> struck seven minutes before half-time.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>Sergio <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Canales</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>' good work was rewarded as the 24-year-old slotted home from close range.</span></span></span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Canales</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> added a third for <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sociedad</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> after 55 minutes, killing the game as a spectacle, but <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Levante</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> were well beaten before they began their trip back to Valencia.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Espanyol</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> rescued a point at home to Villarreal, scoring with just five minutes remaining to disappoint&nbsp;the visitors.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>Rodri's 25th-minute effort had given the Yellow Submarine the lead, but&nbsp;<span>Esteban <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Granero</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> was the hero for the Catalan side as his free-kick found the bottom corner at the conclusion of the match.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Sun, 18 Feb 2018 16:53:20 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760171-la-liga-table-2018-week-24-standings-and-final-scores-after-sunday
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760171-la-liga-table-2018-week-24-standings-and-final-scores-after-sundayhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760171-la-liga-table-2018-week-24-standings-and-final-scores-after-sundaySoccerWorld FootballLa LigaReal MadridGame RecapCristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid Beat Real Betis as Marco Asensio Scores TwiceGill Clark<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">Marco Asensio scored twice for <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a> as they beat <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-betis">Real Betis</a> 5-3 in a thrilling La Liga clash on Sunday.</p>
<p>Zinedine Zidane's side trailed 2-1 at half-time but hit back with goals from Sergio Ramos, <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> and Karim Benzema to take all three points.</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Zidane</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>made changes to his team and named an attacking lineup with Gareth Bale,<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Asensio</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>and Ronaldo all starting. The two clubs shared their teams on Twitter:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>The visitors made a great start to the match as<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Asensio</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>headed them in front after 11 minutes. Ronaldo's shot was only parried by goalkeeper Antonio Adan, and<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Asensio</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>headed the ball past the stranded goalkeeper.</p>
<p>Journalist Tom McDermott was critical of<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Betis</span></span></span></span></span>' defending:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>However, the visitors came back at Real Madrid and almost equalised through Joaquin. The<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Betis</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>captain fired in a brilliant free-kick from range, but a diving<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Keylor</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Navas</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>managed to touch it to safety.</p>
<p>Real Madrid then suffered a blow when left-back Marcelo pulled up with an injury and had to be substituted. Goal's Ben Hayward was critical of<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Zidane</span></span></span></span></span>'s decision to select him for this game:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Madrid sent on Theo Hernandez in his place, and within minutes<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Betis</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>had equalised. Joaquin swung in a cross from the left, and<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Aissa</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>Mandi headed home.</p>
<p>Real<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Betis</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>were the better team by this point and duly took the lead through a Nacho Fernandez own goal. Junior<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Firpo</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>raced forwards, and his shot beat<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Navas</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>before being bundled over the line by Nacho.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The visitors took just five minutes of the second half to level the match.&nbsp;Lucas Vazquez sent in a corner, and Ramos powered a header past Adan. Having levelled the scores, Real Madrid began to gain the upper hand and twice went close through Gareth Bale.</p>
<p>The pressure eventually told as Dani<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Carvajal</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>raced down the right and crossed for<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Asensio</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>to side-foot home. Spanish football journalist Richard Martin said<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Asensio</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>is the answer to Real Madrid's problems:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Opta</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>showed how it was a landmark goal for the visitors:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Real Madrid then put the game out of reach as Ronaldo rifled home after a great chip from<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Casemiro</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>to make it 4-2. Freelance football writer Simon Harrison felt the goalkeeper ought to have done better:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>There was still time for further drama as Sergio Leon tapped home Junior's cross late on, before substitute<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Benzema</span></span></span></span></span><span>&nbsp;</span>fired home the visitors' fifth in stoppage time. It was another fairly chaotic performance from Real Madrid, but they were clinical in attack, which proved too much for<span>&nbsp;</span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Betis</span></span></span></span></span>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Sun, 18 Feb 2018 16:48:04 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760166-cristiano-ronaldo-real-madrid-beat-real-betis-as-marco-asensio-scores-twice
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760166-cristiano-ronaldo-real-madrid-beat-real-betis-as-marco-asensio-scores-twicehttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760166-cristiano-ronaldo-real-madrid-beat-real-betis-as-marco-asensio-scores-twiceSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaReal MadridCristiano RonaldoBreaking NewsAram MuradyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerMarco AsensioReal Madrid Transfer News: Latest Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale Exchange RumoursMatt Jones<p class="p1 ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><span class="s1"><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a> are reportedly ready to offer <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/chelsea">Chelsea</a> &pound;100 million and <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/gareth-bale">Gareth Bale</a> in exchange for <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/eden-hazard">Eden Hazard</a> in the summer.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">According to <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/920391/Eden-Hazard-Chelsea-Gareth-Bale-Real-Madrid-transfer-exclusive"><span class="s2">Neil Fissler and Connor O'Sullivan</span></a> of the <em>Sunday Express</em>, Los Blancos are desperate to get the Belgium international to the Santiago Bernabeu&mdash;so much so they are willing to part with a key player and a substantial sum of money.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">"The Spanish giants have made Hazard their No. 1 target for the summer," Fissler and O'Sullivan reported. "Hazard is stalling on signing a lucrative new contract at Stamford Bridge, which is being interpreted as a clear sign Hazard wants a move to&nbsp;Real Madrid."</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">Fissler and O'Sullivan added that Chelsea may have a "clear" run at signing Bale too because&nbsp;<a href="http://bleacherreport.com/manchester-united">Manchester United</a> are said to no longer hold an interest in the Wales international after their acquisition of Alexis Sanchez.</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span class="s1"><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/tottenham-hotspur">Tottenham Hotspur</a> are also noted to have a first-option clause should Madrid decide to sell Bale, but Sunday's report doubted whether Spurs would be able to meet Los Blancos' valuation.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">Hazard has long been linked with Madrid, and the report stated he has previously spoken of how much he admires the European champions. Per Sport Witness, the Chelsea star has been dropping more hints about Los Blancos lately:</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span class="s1">Madrid's interest would be understandable, and the club boasts a special allure for the world's best players. Hazard, who has won two Premier League titles with Chelsea, belongs in that bracket.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">There aren't many footballers capable of producing what the former Lille man does. Hazard is nimble in possession, boasts an incredible change of pace and is composed when he marauds into dangerous areas.</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span class="s1">In addition to the aesthetics, he makes tangible contributions. Per the BBC <em>Match of the Day</em> Twitter account, he's been doing that for a while:</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span class="s1">Bale's Madrid career is at an interesting point, as the former Spurs man is battling to secure a regular first-team spot after his most recent injury layoff.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">When he's on the field, he's one of a select few players who can be as effective as Hazard. The winger blends power, speed and a tremendous finishing ability. Bale has also conjured some key moments in the biggest matches for Madrid.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">Still, as BBC Sport's Simon Stone noted when the 28-year-old was left on the bench for the recent meeting with Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, he doesn't appear to have the trust of manager Zinedine Zidane:</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span class="s1">Getting Bale and a nine-figure sum would sweeten Chelsea's loss. Plus, with Hazard yet to sign a new contract and making subtle hints he would fancy a switch to the Bernabeu, the deal would make sense for all parties.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">However, Bale will be hopeful of getting fit and forcing his way back into contention at Madrid. Chelsea, meanwhile, should be doing all they can to get Hazard's contract extended to prevent these rumours surfacing with increased regularity.</span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Sun, 18 Feb 2018 03:58:55 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760050-real-madrid-transfer-news-latest-eden-hazard-and-gareth-bale-exchange-rumours
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760050-real-madrid-transfer-news-latest-eden-hazard-and-gareth-bale-exchange-rumourshttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760050-real-madrid-transfer-news-latest-eden-hazard-and-gareth-bale-exchange-rumoursSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaReal MadridGareth BaleBreaking NewsEden HazardAram MuradyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerLa Liga Results 2018: Scores and Updated Table After Saturday's Week 24 MatchesGill Clark<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga to 10 points after a 2-0 win at in-form <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> on Saturday.</p>
<p>Third-placed Valencia left it late as they came from a goal down to beat bottom side <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Malaga</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 2-1, with both goals coming in the final 10 minutes.</p>
<p>Elsewhere, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Alaves</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>&nbsp;remarkable revival continued as they beat <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Deportivo</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> La <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Coruna</span>,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> and <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sevilla</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> won at struggling <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Las</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Palmas</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>.</p>
<p>Here's a look at all of Saturday's results, the updated table and a recap of the best of Saturday's action.</p>
<p><strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><strong>Saturday's La Liga Results</strong></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Las</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Palmas</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 1-2 <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sevilla</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 0-2 Barcelona</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Alaves</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 1-0 <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Deportivo</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> La <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Coruna</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Malaga</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 1-2 Valencia</p>
<p><strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><strong>La Liga Standings (Goal Difference)</strong></p>
<p>1. Barcelona 62 (51)</p>
<p>2. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Atletico</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> Madrid 52 (25)</p>
<p>3. Valencia 46 (19)</p>
<p>4. Real Madrid 42 (27)</p>
<p>5. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sevilla</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 39 (-4)</p>
<p>6. Villarreal 37 (6)</p>
<p>7. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 35 (-4)</p>
<p>8. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Girona</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 34 (4)</p>
<p>9. Real <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Betis</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 33 (-7)</p>
<p>10. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Celta</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Vigo</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 32 (7)</p>
<p>11. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Getafe</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 30 (5)</p>
<p>12. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Leganes</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 29 (-5)</p>
<p>13. Athletic Bilbao 28 (-1)</p>
<p>14. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Alaves</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 28 (-11)</p>
<p>15. Real <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sociedad</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 26 (-2)</p>
<p>16. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Espanyol</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 26 (-10)</p>
<p>17. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Levante</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 20 (-14)</p>
<p>18. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Las</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Palmas</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 18 (-34)</p>
<p>19. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Deportivo</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> La <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Coruna</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 17 (-29)</p>
<p>20. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Malaga</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 13 (-23)</p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Saturday Recap</strong></p>
<p>Barcelona passed a stiff examination of their title credentials at <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>, although Ernesto Valverde's side found it tough going against the hosts who pressed and harried the visitors throughout.</p>
<p><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/lionel-messi-F">Lionel <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Messi</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a> once again proved the inspiration for the league leaders as he produced a superb through ball for <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/luis-suarez">Luis Suarez</a> to round the goalkeeper and open the scoring after 16 minutes. The Argentinian has now equalled the Liga record for assists:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Messi</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> then hit the post for <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Barca</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> on another rare attack, with <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> dominating the ball and looking the more likely team to score. However, the hosts suffered a blow just after the hour mark as the influential Fabian <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Orellana</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> was sent off for a second bookable offence after punching the ball away.</p>
<p>Football journalist <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Euan</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McTear</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> felt it might have been a good idea to have taken him off earlier:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>The dismissal did not affect <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> until two minutes from time when <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Jordi</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> Alba fired home after goalkeeper&nbsp;<span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Marko</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Dmitrovic</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> had denied <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Messi</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>. The goal ensured victory for Barcelona and meant they had equalled their best unbeaten run in La Liga, per <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Opta</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>It was a difficult game for Barcelona but an important win on a tough away ground. The three points also ends a run of two consecutive La Liga draws and sets them up for their next fixture, which is away to Chelsea in the <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">UEFA</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> Champions League.</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sevilla</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> moved into fifth place after a fourth La Liga win in a row as they won 2-1 in <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Las</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Palmas</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Wissam</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> Ben <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Yedder</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> tapped home the opener after good work from&nbsp;Pablo <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sarabia</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>, who then grabbed the second.</p>
<p>Andrew Gaffney highlighted what a good buy <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sarabia</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> has been for <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sevilla</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>It was not all good news for <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sevilla</span></span></span></span></span></span>,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> as they lost&nbsp;<span>Joaquin <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Correa</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> to injury. Football <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Espana</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> editor Colin <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Millar</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> said it was a hamstring problem:</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Las</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Palmas</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> also pulled one back late on from the penalty spot through Jonathan <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Calleri</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>, but it was too little too late for the hosts, who remain in trouble in the bottom three.</span></p>
<p>Meanwhile, Valencia looked on course for an embarrassing defeat at <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Malaga</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> after Brown <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Ideye</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> had headed the hosts in front.</p>
<p>However, the visitors rallied late on as Francis <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Coquelin</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> equalised with his first goal for his new club. The former Arsenal man has been an excellent signing for Valencia, according to Spanish football journalist David <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Cartlidge</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Ignasi</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Miquel</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> then saw red and conceded a penalty for a foul on Rodrigo Moreno with just six minutes of normal time remaining.</p>
<p>Dani <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Parejo</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> converted the spot-kick to complete the turnaround and leave <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Malaga</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> without a La Liga win since December.</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Alaves</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> were also winners on Saturday as&nbsp;<span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Munir</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> El Haddadi's brilliant strike from outside the box gave the hosts all three points. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Opta</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> showed how vital the Barcelona <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">loanee</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> has been to the club:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Football writer Sid Lowe noted how the team's form has improved since&nbsp;<span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Abelardo</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> Fernandez took charge of the club:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>The win moves <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Alaves</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> into 14th place in the table but, more importantly, now 10 points clear of the relegation zone.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Sat, 17 Feb 2018 16:48:44 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760011-la-liga-results-2018-scores-and-updated-table-after-saturdays-week-24-matches
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760011-la-liga-results-2018-scores-and-updated-table-after-saturdays-week-24-matcheshttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2760011-la-liga-results-2018-scores-and-updated-table-after-saturdays-week-24-matchesWorld FootballLa LigaGame RecapLuis Suarez, Barcelona Rediscover Winning Ways vs. EibarGill Clark<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">Barcelona returned to winning ways in La Liga as they beat 10-man Eibar 2-0 thanks to goals from <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/luis-suarez">Luis Suarez</a> and Jordi Alba.</p>
<p><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/lionel-messi-F">Lionel Messi</a> set up Suarez, who rounded goalkeeper&nbsp;<span>Marko Dmitrovic and slotted home after just 16 minutes. </span></p>
<p><span>However, it was a tough game for Barca, as Eibar caused problems all afternoon despite the dismissal of&nbsp;Fabian Orellana midway through the second half.</span></p>
<p><span>Alba then made the game safe with just minutes of normal time remaining as he fired home after&nbsp;<span>Dmitrovic had denied Messi.</span></span></p>
<p>Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde named a strong team for the game, with Andres Iniesta, Messi and Suarez all starting and Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele on the bench.</p>
<p>The clubs shared their lineups via Twitter:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Football journalist Rik Sharma was surprised to see Coutinho benched:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Eibar started the game strongly as they pressed the visitors back and had chances on goal.&nbsp;Jose Angel sent a header over the bar before&nbsp;Orellana fired a shot just over the woodwork.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Barcelona then took the lead against the run of play as Messi found Suarez with an excellent through ball, and the striker drifted past Dmitrovic and put the ball into the empty net.</p>
<p>ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan neatly summed up the opening stages of the game:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Eibar almost pulled one back immediately as&nbsp;<span>Orellana hit a dipping shot from the edge of the box. It beat goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen but hit the crossbar and flew over.</span></p>
<p><span>Having gone a goal behind, Eibar's confidence seemed to drain a little, and Barcelona almost scored a second. Suarez got in behind the defence and found Messi, who went for goal from a tight angle but hit the post.</span></p>
<p><span>The Argentinian has now hit the woodwork 15 times this season in La Liga, as shown by ESPN FC's Samuel Marsden:</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span>Eibar continued to cause problems after the break as they swept down the right with Orellana. He crossed for an unmarked&nbsp;Takashi Inui in the box, but he fired wide when he should have at least hit the target.</span></p>
<p><span>Valverde responded by replacing Iniesta with Coutinho, a player who cost more than Eibar have spent in their entire history, according to journalist Euan McTear:</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span>The hosts then suffered another blow as Orellana was sent off after picking up a second yellow card. The Chilean had already been booked but picked up a second for punching the ball away. It was a characteristic red card for the 32-year-old, according to Corrigan:</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span>Eibar coach&nbsp;Jose Luis Mendilibar was also sent to the stands after gesturing for a booking for Suarez after he kicked the ball away as the home side's frustrations boiled over.</span></p>
<p><span>Corrigan explained why the home side may have been so enraged:</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span>Barcelona struggled to make the man advantage count as Eibar continued to force them back and work goalkeeper Ter Stegen. Substitute Aleix Vidal went close but saw his effort blocked by<span>&nbsp;</span><span>Dmitrovic&nbsp;</span>before Alba finally made the points safe late on.</span></p>
<p><span>The win means Barcelona have equalled a club record 31 matches unbeaten in La Liga, per Opta:</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span>It may not have been a spectacular performance by Barca, but it's an important win away from home against one of La Liga's in-form sides. Valverde's team showed again their fighting spirit and ability to grind out results, and it sets them up nicely for their trip to <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/chelsea">Chelsea</a> in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.</span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Sat, 17 Feb 2018 12:09:25 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759988-luis-suarez-barcelona-rediscover-winning-ways-vs-eibar
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759988-luis-suarez-barcelona-rediscover-winning-ways-vs-eibarhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759988-luis-suarez-barcelona-rediscover-winning-ways-vs-eibarSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaFC BarcelonaBreaking NewsAram MuradyanEdgar MovsisyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerReal Betis vs. Real Madrid: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV InfoMatt Jones<p class="p1 ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><span class="s1">Real Madrid's focus will shift back to La Liga on Sunday after their midweek heroics in the <span class="spellcheck">UEFA</span> Champions League, as they visit Real <span class="spellcheck">Betis</span>.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">Los <span class="spellcheck">Blancos</span>, after a season of struggle, were brilliant in their 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, putting in the type of display that can turn campaigns around. Manager <span class="spellcheck">Zinedine</span> <span class="spellcheck">Zidane</span> will want to keep positive momentum building in Andalusia.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1"><span class="spellcheck">Betis</span> are far from straightforward opponents, though, as they sit in eighth, just four points off fifth place. <span class="spellcheck">Quique</span> <span class="spellcheck">Setien</span>'s side also earned a historic win against Madrid at the Santiago <span class="spellcheck">Bernabeu</span> earlier this season.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">Read on for the key viewing details for the game, the latest team news and a preview of what promises to be an entertaining encounter at the <span class="spellcheck">Estadio</span> Benito <span class="spellcheck">Villamarin</span>.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p><span class="s1"><strong>Date: </strong>Sunday, February 18</span></p>
<p><span class="s1"><strong>Time: </strong>7:45 p.m. (GMT)/2:45 p.m. (ET)</span></p>
<p><span class="s1"><strong>TV Info: </strong>Sky Sports Football (UK), <span class="spellcheck">beIN</span> Sports (U.S.)</span></p>
<p><span class="s1"><strong>Live Stream: </strong><a href="http://go.sky.com/">Sky Go</a> (UK), <a href="https://connect.bein.net/en/login/"><span class="spellcheck">beIN</span> Sports Connect</a> (U.S.)</span></p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><span class="s1"><strong>Team News</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="s1"><strong>Real <span class="spellcheck">Betis</span>: </strong><span class="spellcheck">Setien</span> will still be without Joel Campbell and Antonio <span class="spellcheck">Sanabria</span>, who are both long-term absentees. Defender <span class="spellcheck">Zouhair</span> <span class="spellcheck">Feddal</span> is set to miss the rest of the season.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1"><strong><em>Likely XI: </em></strong><em>Antonio Adan; Francis, <span class="spellcheck">Aissa</span> Mandi, Marc <span class="spellcheck">Bartra</span>, <span class="spellcheck">Jordi</span> <span class="spellcheck">Amat</span>, Junior <span class="spellcheck">Firpo</span>; Joaquin, Andres <span class="spellcheck">Guardado</span>, Fabian Ruiz; <span class="spellcheck">Ryad</span> <span class="spellcheck">Boudebouz</span>, Loren Moron</em></span></p>
<p><span class="s1"><strong>Real Madrid:</strong> Given the effort exerted against <span class="spellcheck">PSG</span> on Wednesday, <span class="spellcheck">Zidane</span> is likely to make a number of changes for this one to freshen the side up. The manager has no major injury concerns following the Champions League showdown.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1"><strong><em>Likely XI:</em></strong><em> <span class="spellcheck">Keylor</span> <span class="spellcheck">Navas</span>,; Dani <span class="spellcheck">Carvajal</span>, Nacho, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Toni <span class="spellcheck">Kroos</span>, Mateo <span class="spellcheck">Kovacic</span>, <span class="spellcheck">Luka</span> <span class="spellcheck">Modric</span>; Marco <span class="spellcheck">Asensio</span>, Cristiano Ronaldo, <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/gareth-bale">Gareth Bale</a></em></span></p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><span class="s1"><strong>Preview</strong></span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span class="s1">Real Madrid's 2017-18 term has been full of false starts, although the win over <span class="spellcheck">PSG</span> did point towards a possible strong finish to the campaign.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">Los <span class="spellcheck">Blancos</span> didn't produce a stunning performance to win 3-1, rather they became the Madrid they've been so often under <span class="spellcheck">Zidane</span>&mdash;they saw out tough moments, stayed composed, and when chances did materialise, they took them.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">Cristiano Ronaldo is obviously vital to that, and the Portuguese is now back in a brilliant goalscoring groove having been short of his best at times this season. </span></p>
<p><span class="s1">As noted by James Robson of the <em>Manchester Evening News</em>, he's still been putting the ball in the net frequently:</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span class="s1">While the Champions League will obviously command the focus of <span class="spellcheck">Madridistas</span> between now and the end of the campaign, it's important they stay focused on the job at hand in La Liga, too.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">After all, <span class="spellcheck">Zidane</span>'s men sit in fourth position, and while they have a five-point buffer to Villarreal in fifth, any slip-ups here will have some looking nervously over their shoulder&mdash;especially should the focus change in full to European commitments towards the end of the campaign.</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span class="s1">The Madrid manager will surely make some changes here, and one man who may have forced himself into contention is <span class="spellcheck">Asensio</span>, who helped swing the match against <span class="spellcheck">PSG</span> in Real's favour when he came on as a late substitute.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">The youngster has been in and out of the side this season, although journalist David <span class="spellcheck">Cartlidge</span> praised his ability to make an impression from the bench:</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span class="s1">Madrid will need another measured mindset at <span class="spellcheck">Betis</span>, as they're a team capable of upsetting the best teams in Spain.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">They showcased as much earlier in the campaign, as they stunned the Santiago <span class="spellcheck">Bernabeu</span> with a remarkable 94th-minute winner from <span class="spellcheck">Sanabria</span>. From what we've seen this season from the <span class="spellcheck">Andalusians</span>, they are unlikely to sit deep and let Madrid have things their own way.</span></p>
<p><span class="s1">Away from home, Los <span class="spellcheck">Blancos</span> haven't been free-flowing lately, with just one win secured in their last five in La Liga. And while spirits will be high following their <span class="spellcheck">PSG</span> win, <span class="spellcheck">Betis</span> have the belief and vibrancy to upset the rhythm of the champions.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p><span class="s1"><strong>Prediction: Real <span class="spellcheck">Betis</span> 2-2 Real Madrid</strong></span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Sat, 17 Feb 2018 02:00:00 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759579-real-betis-vs-real-madrid-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-info
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759579-real-betis-vs-real-madrid-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-infohttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759579-real-betis-vs-real-madrid-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-infoWorld FootballLa LigaPreview/PredictionLa Liga Table 2018: Latest Standings Following Friday's Week 24 ResultsJames Dudko<p class="ui-droppable"><span class="spellcheck">Girona</span> moved up to eighth in La Liga after beating <span class="spellcheck">Leganes</span> 3-0 at the <span class="spellcheck">Estadi</span> <span class="spellcheck">Montilivi</span> on Friday night. Goals from <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/cristhian-stuani"><span class="spellcheck">Cristhian</span> <span class="spellcheck">Stuani</span></a>, <span class="spellcheck">Portu</span> and <span class="spellcheck">Juanpe</span> proved enough for the home side to earn three vital points.</p>
<p>The hosts controlled the game throughout and continue to punch above their weight during their first-ever season in Spain's top flight. <span class="spellcheck">Girona</span> are now just two points outside of the top six.</p>
<p>Here's what tonight's result means for the updated standings:</p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>1. Barcelona: 59</p>
<p>2. <span class="spellcheck">Atletico</span> Madrid: 52</p>
<p>3. Valencia: 43</p>
<p>4. Real Madrid: 42</p>
<p>5. Villarreal: 37</p>
<p>6. <span class="spellcheck">Sevilla</span>: 36</p>
<p>7. <span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span>: 35</p>
<p>8. <span class="spellcheck">Girona</span>: 34</p>
<p>9. Real <span class="spellcheck">Betis</span>: 33</p>
<p>10. <span class="spellcheck">Celta</span> <span class="spellcheck">Vigo</span>: 32</p>
<p>11. <span class="spellcheck">Getafe</span>: 30</p>
<p>12. <span class="spellcheck">Leganes</span>: 29</p>
<p>13. Athletic Bilbao: 28</p>
<p>14. Real <span class="spellcheck">Sociedad</span>: 26</p>
<p>15. <span class="spellcheck">Espanyol</span>: 26</p>
<p>16. <span class="spellcheck">Alaves</span>: 25</p>
<p>17. <span class="spellcheck">Levante</span>: 20</p>
<p>18. <span class="spellcheck">Las</span> <span class="spellcheck">Palmas</span>: 18</p>
<p>19. <span class="spellcheck">Deportivo</span> La <span class="spellcheck">Coruna</span>: 17</p>
<p>20. <span class="spellcheck">Malaga</span>: 13</p>
<p><em>Full standings are available, per <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/spanish-la-liga/table" target="_blank">BBC Sport</a></em><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/spanish-la-liga/table" target="_blank">.</a></p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck">Girona</span> started brightly, moving the ball quickly between the lines and using their width well. In particular, <span class="spellcheck">Stuani</span>'s pace and smart running were causing the visitors a host of problems.</p>
<p>The pressure told in the 22nd minute when Martin <span class="spellcheck">Mantovani</span> handled in the box to give away a penalty. <span class="spellcheck">Stuani</span> stepped up and made no mistake from the spot.</p>
<p>Former <span class="spellcheck">Middlesbrough</span> forward <span class="spellcheck">Stuani</span> has been ruthlessly efficient from 12 yards, according to <span class="spellcheck">OptaJose</span>:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Uruguay international <span class="spellcheck">Stuani</span> continued to run <span class="spellcheck">Leganes</span> ragged, while Garcia <span class="spellcheck">Borja</span> ran the game from the heart of midfield. <span class="spellcheck">Girona</span>'s confident approach play was rewarded with a second goal on 36 minutes when <span class="spellcheck">Portu</span> struck a fine shot after collecting a pass from <span class="spellcheck">Borja</span>'s fellow midfielder Alex <span class="spellcheck">Granell</span>.</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck">Stuani</span> made way for Anthony <span class="spellcheck">Lozano</span> with just under 15 minutes left as the hosts were in cruise control. They managed to add a third with five minutes to go when the astute <span class="spellcheck">Granell</span> picked out <span class="spellcheck">Juanpe</span> to head in.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck">Girona</span> saw things out without too much fuss. The professional way they approached the second half was a testament to the fine work of manager Pablo <span class="spellcheck">Machin</span>, who has imbued a smartly assembled group with sound and progressive tactics.</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck">Machin</span>'s men have ample firepower thanks to <span class="spellcheck">Stuani</span> and <span class="spellcheck">Portu</span>, while the midfield is brimming with vision and technique. <span class="spellcheck">Girona</span> are more than meriting their fine debut campaign in La Liga.</p>
<p>Things won't get any easier, though, as <span class="spellcheck">Girona</span> face a trip to leaders Barcelona next week. Before then, the <span class="spellcheck">Blaugrana</span> will be in <span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span> on Saturday.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, champions Real Madrid face a tricky trip to Real <span class="spellcheck">Betis</span> on Sunday, per Sky Sports <span class="spellcheck">Statto</span>:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Attention will be on Spain's big two this weekend, while second-placed <span class="spellcheck">Atletico</span> Madrid can keep the pressure on in the title race by beating Athletic Bilbao at home.&nbsp;</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Fri, 16 Feb 2018 17:09:54 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759894-la-liga-table-2018-latest-standings-following-fridays-week-24-results
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759894-la-liga-table-2018-latest-standings-following-fridays-week-24-resultshttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759894-la-liga-table-2018-latest-standings-following-fridays-week-24-resultsWorld FootballLa LigaBreaking NewsCristhian StuaniBarcelona's Andres Iniesta Reportedly Considering Chinese Transfer OfferGianni Verschueren<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">Barcelona midfielder <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/andres-iniesta">Andres Iniesta</a> is reportedly weighing up an offer from Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian, who are willing to pay the Blaugrana legend &euro;35 million per season to leave Catalonia during the summer.</p>
<p>According to <em>Sport</em>'s <a href="https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/andres-iniesta-considering-moving-to-chinese-super-league-6628385" target="_blank">Lluis Miguelsanz</a>, the 33-year-old is contemplating his future, and he's set to make a decision on the move in March. Tianjin first reached out in December before meeting with the player in January and making the astronomical offer.</p>
<p>Per the report, Iniesta is well aware this is likely his final opportunity for a major payday. He'll decide between Barcelona and China, spurning moves elsewhere, and while this opportunity is tempting, he also understands he's still a regular starter at the Camp Nou.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Tianjin have not been afraid of spending big on foreign imports in recent years, as the squad already contains former <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ac-milan">AC Milan</a> star Alexandre Pato and Belgium international Axel Witsel. They also loan Anthony Modeste from Cologne.</p>
<p>With 16 starts in La Liga under his belt this season, Iniesta remains of vital importance for Barcelona, even as he draws ever closer to the end of his career. The Spain international has spent his entire senior career with the Blaugrana&#8213;including a spell with Barcelona B&#8213;and is one of the club's most decorated players, with eight La Liga titles under his belt.</p>
<p>The January arrival of Philippe Coutinho and great form of Paulinho have given manager Ernesto Valverde plenty of options. The tactician remains a fan of Ivan Rakitic, and fitting all of those stars into one team could prove tricky.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Iniesta has barely lost a step, and his game has never been overly reliant on athleticism. The clever midfielder uses positioning and great passing range to be effective, and those tools usually don't erode quickly&#8213;explaining why the Chinese club would feel confident making such a tantalising offer.</p>
<p>Barcelona will likely let the player decide on his future&#8213;they did the same with fellow club legend Xavi, who left for Qatar in 2015 after a long and productive career at the Camp Nou.</p>
<p>The Blaugrana went out of their way to say goodbye then:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Iniesta would likely receive similar treatment&#8213;he's been just as key to the club for years, and he is still a productive member of a squad running away with the La Liga title.</p>
<p>Per the report, Iniesta's decision will come well before the 2018 FIFA World Cup, allowing him to focus completely on international duty this summer.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Fri, 16 Feb 2018 07:13:30 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759796-barcelonas-andres-iniesta-reportedly-considering-chinese-transfer-offer
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759796-barcelonas-andres-iniesta-reportedly-considering-chinese-transfer-offerhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759796-barcelonas-andres-iniesta-reportedly-considering-chinese-transfer-offerSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaFC BarcelonaBreaking NewsAndres IniestaTransfer NewsAram MuradyanEdgar MovsisyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerMarco Asensio 'Worth €700M,' Florentino Perez Says After Rejecting PL BidChristopher Simpson<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a>&nbsp;President Florentino Perez has said he turned down an offer of &euro;150 million (&pound;133 million) for Marco Asensio in the summer, as he believes the Spain international is worth every penny of his enormous buyout clause.</p>
<p>He told <em>Mundo Deportivo</em>'s <a href="http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/real-madrid/20180215/44796729446/real-madrid-asensio-oferta-150-millones.html" target="_blank">Cristina Cubero</a> (h/t <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/919392/Real-Madrid-transfer-bombshell-Marco-Asensio-deal-rejected-Premier-League" target="_blank">Joe Short</a> of the <em>Express</em>): "<span>If someone wants the Mallorcan, he is worth &euro;700 million (&pound;620 million)."</span></p>
<p>Perez said the offer came from a Premier League club, though he did not name the team in question.</p>
<p>Asensio, 22, has been a regular at the Santiago Bernabeu over the past two seasons, and he is perhaps the brightest prospect in the squad.</p>
<p>The Spaniard came off the bench during Wednesday's UEFA Champions League last-16 clash with Paris Saint-Germain, and he made a decisive impact despite featuring for just 11 minutes:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>With the score level at 1-1 when he entered the match, he quickly set about making things happen for his side.</p>
<p>His first cross found its way to Cristiano Ronaldo via PSG goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, with the Portugal captain knocking home to make it 2-1. He then delivered the cross for Marcelo to wrap up the scoring.</p>
<p>The latter was his fifth assist of the season<span>&mdash;the former does not count as an assist because of Areola's part in the move<span>&mdash;and he has also netted eight goals in all competitions, putting him on course to match, if not surpass, the 10 he achieved last year. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Football writers David Cartlidge and Simon Harrison hailed his performance:</span></span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span><span>Asensio has made 34 appearances this season, but despite his talent, he has received relatively little game time in Real's most important fixtures.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>His only start in the Champions League was against APOEL FC in the group stage, while&nbsp;he was restricted to late cameos&nbsp;<span>against Barcelona and<span>&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/atletico-madrid">Atletico<span>&nbsp;</span>Madrid</a><span><span>&nbsp;</span>in La Liga,</span>&nbsp;as he was against PSG.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>He would be a sensational addition to virtually any side, and he would likely start every match too. But as Perez's comments indicate, Real are well aware of the asset they have in their hands, even if he perhaps deserves a bigger role than he has thus far played.</span></span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Fri, 16 Feb 2018 03:31:15 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759780-marco-asensio-worth-eur700m-says-florentino-perez-after-rejecting-pl-bid
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759780-marco-asensio-worth-eur700m-says-florentino-perez-after-rejecting-pl-bidhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759780-marco-asensio-worth-eur700m-says-florentino-perez-after-rejecting-pl-bidSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaReal MadridBreaking NewsAram MuradyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerMarco Asensio'We'll Always Have Paris': Neymar, Ronaldo and Triumphalism in MadridRichard Fitzpatrick<p class="ui-droppable" dir="ltr"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><span>The abiding image following Paris Saint-Germain's Valentine's Day defeat in Madrid appeared on the cover of Thursday morning's edition of </span><em>Diario Sport</em><span>. </span></p>
<p class="ui-droppable" dir="ltr"><span>After surrendering a one-goal lead to lose 3-1 to <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a> in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie, the French team's talisman,&nbsp;Neymar, was pictured leaving the Santiago&nbsp;Bernabeu pitch in an embrace with Cristiano Ronaldo, his&nbsp;Real Madrid&nbsp;<span>counterpart</span>. The pair walked deep in conversation towards the Bernabeu tunnel. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>In the photo, Ronaldo is towering over Neymar.&nbsp;The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is consoling him. In a nod towards the tie's second leg in on March 6, the </span><em>Casablanca</em><span>-inspired headline alongside the picture read: "</span><span><a href="https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/comunicacion/salido-portada-sport-6625510">We'll always have Paris</a>."</span><span>&nbsp;This encounter isn't over. There is a way to go yet.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"There is a feeling of happiness in the city because we won a difficult match," says Paco Pavon, who played alongside Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane when the club won the Champions League in 2002. "But there's also concern because, for a lot of the game,&nbsp;PSG dominated and could have won. Yesterday, we saw a very serious Real Madrid, but I believe they will have to improve in Paris to get to the next round. The worry is that in Paris the tie could be turned around."</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The general tone of the press reaction in Spain to Real Madrid's fight back is one of triumphalism. "How could I not love you?!" screamed the headline across the cover of </span><em>Diario AS</em><span>, echoing a lyric from the schmaltzy song that Real Madrid's hooligan brigade, the </span><span>Ultras Sur</span><span>, sing during Real Madrid's Champions League matches.</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Even the more sober </span><em><a href="https://elpais.com/deportes/2018/02/14/actualidad/1518632198_879199.html">El Pais</a></em><span> newspaper joined in the hoopla with an article entitled "The Bernabeu doesn't respect anything," which focused on the giant </span><span>tifo</span><span> that was unfurled at the south end of the stadium. "Madridismo never gives up," it stated alongside an image of Rafael Nadal, clutching his fist in defiance. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>On the Spanish tennis star's Real Madrid-branded T-shirt are the words "until the end," a line taken from the club's never-say-die anthem.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The prophecy came to pass in the game, with Real Madrid scoring two late goals to pull clear&mdash;two goals that could prove decisive. Real Madrid's self-belief on big European nights, especially after the appalling defence of their league title this season, is impressive and in marked contrast to PSG's flaccid performances in the knockout stages of the competition. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"A crest weighs more than all the money in the world," Ernest Folch, writing in </span><em>Diario Sport</em><span>, reckoned.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"One of Real Madrid's problems is a classic syndrome," says prize-winning journalist John Carlin, who worked as the ghostwriter on Nadal's autobiography, <em>Rafa</em>, among his collection of sports books. "They've won so much in the last two or three years it's very difficult to sustain that hunger game after game after game&mdash;in particular if you're playing at home against some team like Eibar. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"If you're not operating at 100 per cent, the nature of top-class football now is that you're going to suffer. Real Madrid has been lacking that hunger, often operating at 85 per cent. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"But when they really want to pull the finger out, as in the Champions League, they can raise their game. While I wouldn't rule out Paris Saint-Germain mounting a comeback, I also wouldn't rule out Real Madrid winning the Champions League again. The overall difference between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain is that Real Madrid have got that sense, which surfaces on the big occasions, of their own greatness, of being a truly big, big club. Somehow, it's their destiny&mdash;like Alexander the Great's&mdash;to win the great battles.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"Paris Saint-Germain are striving to reach that status in a similar way in which Man City are striving to break into that exclusive elite where you've basically got Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Clubs that feel it's their destiny to succeed and to be heroes on the major stage. Somehow, by some strange alchemy, that sense of greatness surfaces in the decisive games. We've seen it so many times with Real Madrid in particular over the years.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"Heroic figures, charismatic individuals&mdash;as is the case with the few charismatic football clubs&mdash;are not pretending to be great. They're not posing. They know they're great. It goes beyond arrogance. Sergio Ramos is the embodiment of that. He embodies that sense of an indomitable warrior. He can make his mistakes like everyone else. He can score own goals and miss penalties, but there is something about Ramos that is the essence of that spirit."</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>His defensive team-mate Marcelo&mdash;who is only nominally a defender&mdash;exuded that transformation against Paris Saint-Germain. He has been sluggish all season. Against PSG, however, he was irresistible. He was, in the words of </span><em><a href="http://www.marca.com/futbol/champions-league/2018/02/15/5a84bd4ce2704ec91b8b457a.html">Marca</a></em><span>, "a dagger down the left wing," displaying audacious ball control. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Another memorable image from the night, which was captured in several of the Spanish sports papers, is Marcelo's knee-sliding celebration at the feet of Zidane after scoring Real Madrid's third goal.</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Zidane, too, comes alive on these epic European nights at the Bernabeu. He put it colourfully in the </span><a href="https://as.com/futbol/2018/02/14/champions/1518646366_175515.html"><span>post-match press conference</span></a><span>: "The Champions League is a competition that turns us on." </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>PSG, who are brittle after arguably the competition's most notorious capitulation against Barcelona in the same round of the competition last year, are still looking for that brio. Their coach, Unai Emery&mdash;who has never won in 11 games at the Bernabeu, including 10 defeats&mdash;will need to find it fast to hold on to his job.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"Emery showed himself to be excessively cautious and timorous," Carlin says. "Maybe being Spanish, he has a residual what they call '</span><span>miedo escenico</span><span>'&mdash;stage fright at the Bernabeu. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"In retrospect, he must regret having taken off Edinson Cavani when there was every reason to believe that, with Cavani on the pitch, PSG were going to score another goal. Instead, Emery went for the cautious option to preserve that 1-1 scoreline. Zidane did the bold thing, and fortune favoured the brave." </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Zidane poured on his flying wingers&mdash;<a href="http://bleacherreport.com/gareth-bale">Gareth Bale</a> and Marco Asensio, along with Lucas Vazquez&mdash;substitutions that changed the game. Asensio,&nbsp;who only came on with 11 minutes remaining, pitched in with two assists. The media in Spain hailed him for his performance, with </span><em>Mundo Deportivo</em><span> describing him as "the best" in its player ratings.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Pavon cites Cavani's&nbsp;<span>withdrawal</span>&nbsp;for Thomas Meunier as pivotal. It opened up the game, he says: "Until then, Paris Saint-Germain had totally confined Real Madrid. They could harm them with balls put into the box to Cavani. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"Emery wanted to give more freedom to Dani Alves to go forward and to get Meunier to cover the advances of Marcelo. But in doing so, they lost a reference in Cavani, who fixed Ramos and [Raphael] Varane in position and gave freedom to [Kylian]&nbsp;Mbappe to attack. After this switch, Real Madrid could breathe a little bit easier, and they were less overwhelmed at the back. It was one of the keys of the match."</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>In Catalonia, there is a certain smugness at Neymar&nbsp;and his team-mates' capitulation. The Barcelona-based newspaper </span><span><em>Mundo Deportivo</em>,&nbsp;</span><span>still smarting after Neymar's defection from Barca last summer, led with the same photo of the bereft Neymar's comforting by Ronaldo along with the unforgiving headline: "NEYMAL."&nbsp;</span>Elsewhere on the front page, his night is summed up with the subheading: "The Brazilian and a greenhorn PSG crumpled against Madrid".</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>In the newspaper's player ratings, Neymar&mdash;who </span><a href="https://en.psg.fr/pro/article/real-madrid-vs-paris-in-numbers"><span>dribbled more times</span></a><span>&nbsp;(17) in the match than his team-mates combined&mdash;was criticised for being "hasty." In contrast, the 33-year-old Ronaldo&mdash;who scored his 100</span><span>th</span><span> and 101</span><span>st</span><span> goals in the Champions League for Real Madrid during the game&mdash;was lauded for his predatory instincts. </span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"There's a lot of pressure on Neymar," Carlin says. "He was bought for this huge, record-breaking amount by PSG with one purpose in mind: to win the Champions League. The truth is&mdash;as Adrien Rabiot said in so many words after the game&mdash;that playing in Ligue 1 is like playing in pre-season friendlies for a team like PSG.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"There's Neymar, strutting away against these weak, Ligue 1 teams, scoring a whole bunch of goals and doing all the pretty pirouettes that he can perform, but that's just circus time. The real business was on Wednesday night against Real Madrid. He showed his flashes. He's fabulously talented, but he was unable to deliver the one or two goals that he is paid enormous amounts of money to provide. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"However, this tie is far from being a done deal for Real Madrid."</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>All quotes and information obtained firsthand unless otherwise indicated.</em></p>
<p><em>Follow Richard on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Richard_Fitz">@Richard_Fitz</a>.</em></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Fri, 16 Feb 2018 03:19:29 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759759-well-always-have-paris-neymar-ronaldo-and-triumphalism-in-madrid
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759759-well-always-have-paris-neymar-ronaldo-and-triumphalism-in-madridhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759759-well-always-have-paris-neymar-ronaldo-and-triumphalism-in-madridSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaReal MadridBreaking NewsAram MuradyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerBarcelona Transfer News: Marco Verratti Comments on Latest Camp Nou RumoursRory Marsden<p class="ui-droppable"><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/marco-verratti">Marco Verratti</a> has left the door open for a move to Barcelona after revealing there is a possibility Paris Saint-Germain could sell him.</p>
<p>He said he hopes to remain at the Parc des Princes but did not shut down the speculation surrounding a potential move to the Camp Nou, per Premium Sport (via&nbsp;<em><a href="https://en.as.com/en/2018/02/15/football/1518700759_294384.html" target="_blank">AS</a></em>): "<span>Barcelona? I don't know. I am happy here&nbsp;in Paris.&nbsp;<span>I believe in this project, and I hope to stay here&nbsp;long.&nbsp;Maybe PSG will sell me, but let's&nbsp;see."</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>It was widely reported last summer Barca wanted Verratti. However,&nbsp;they failed to persuade PSG to sell the Italy international, per&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/who-will-barcelona-target-if-they-lose-neymar-6xqfltls9" target="_blank">Joseph Walker and Ben Topliss</a> in <em>The</em>&nbsp;<em>Times</em>.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>The Blaugrana could arguably still do with some added quality and depth in central midfield, though, so they may return for him at the end of the 2017-18 campaign.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>In their attempts to replace Neymar,&nbsp;who departed for PSG for &pound;200 million in August, Barcelona have signed Philippe Coutinho from <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/liverpool">Liverpool</a> and Ousmane Dembele from <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/borussia-dortmund">Borussia Dortmund</a> in huge-money deals in the past two transfer windows.</span></span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span><span>They also added&nbsp;</span></span>Paulinho to the engine room last summer, and the former <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/tottenham-hotspur">Tottenham Hotspur</a> man has been impressive this term.</p>
<p>However, there is a lack of depth in the middle of the park, especially as Andre Gomes continues to disappoint and is surely not long for the Camp Nou.</p>
<p>Andres Iniesta will be 34 by the end of the season, while Ivan Rakitic and Paulinho both turn 30 before the start of the 2018-19 campaign.</p>
<p>By contrast, despite having been an established PSG first-teamer for the past six seasons, Verratti is only 25.</p>
<p>He is entering the peak years of his career, and as an accomplished defensive midfielder who is also comfortable on the ball and creative going forward, he could be the ideal signing for Barcelona as manager&nbsp;<span>Ernesto Valverde&nbsp;looks to strengthen his central-midfield unit.</span></p>
<p><span>The Blaugrana may have a task on their hands to persuade PSG to sell Verratti, but the player has not ruled it out.</span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Thu, 15 Feb 2018 10:03:13 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759614-barcelona-transfer-news-marco-verratti-comments-on-latest-camp-nou-rumours
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759614-barcelona-transfer-news-marco-verratti-comments-on-latest-camp-nou-rumourshttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759614-barcelona-transfer-news-marco-verratti-comments-on-latest-camp-nou-rumoursSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaFC BarcelonaBreaking NewsTransfer NewsMarco VerrattiAram MuradyanEdgar MovsisyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerReal Madrid to Chase Toby Alderweireld Amid Tottenham Contract Stand-Off RumoursRory Marsden<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a> are reportedly set to enter the race for <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/tottenham-hotspur">Tottenham Hotspur</a>'s Toby <span class="spellcheck">Alderweireld</span> amid rumours that talks between the north London club and the centre-back over a new contract "<span>are close to breaking point."</span></p>
<p><span>According to <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/real-madrid-eye-transfer-tottenham-12026931" target="_blank">John Cross</a> in the&nbsp;<em>Mirror</em>,&nbsp;<span><span class="spellcheck">Alderweireld</span> has a complex contract with Spurs that could be extended from 2019 until 2020, but only at the cost of a&nbsp;<span>&pound;25 million release clause being activated, which would be available for other clubs to meet at the end of next season.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>Given that is more than affordable for the likes of Real, <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/manchester-united">Manchester United</a>, <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/manchester-city">Manchester City</a> and <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/chelsea">Chelsea</a>, Spurs need to get him tied to new terms soon or cash in on him this summer, when they will still be able to demand an adequately&nbsp;hefty fee.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>Negotiations look to be at a standstill, though.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>Belgium international&nbsp;<span><span class="spellcheck">Alderweireld</span>&mdash;who is earning&nbsp;<span>&pound;50,000 per week&mdash;wants&nbsp;<span>a five-year contract<span>&nbsp;worth way in excess of Spurs' top wage bracket of&nbsp;<span>&pound;110,000 per week. The Premier League club is not prepared to meet those demands, per <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5392667/Tottenham-wont-break-bank-Toby-Alderweireld.html" target="_blank"><span class="spellcheck">Sami</span> <span class="spellcheck">Mokbel</span></a>&nbsp;of the&nbsp;<em>Daily Mail</em>.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span><span><span>Real would be able pay the 28-year-old what he wants, and he could be a superb addition to <span class="spellcheck">Zinedine</span> Zidane's squad.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>Los <span class="spellcheck">Blancos</span> beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 at the Santiago <span class="spellcheck">Bernabeu</span>&nbsp;Stadium on Wednesday to put them in the driving&nbsp;seat in their <span class="spellcheck">UEFA</span> Champions League last-16 tie and keep alive Real's hopes of winning the tournament for a third consecutive season.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>However, the Madrid giants are 17 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona and have long been out of the running in their attempt to successfully defend the Spanish title.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>Their defence has looked weak this season, particularly at home, per&nbsp;<em>Sport</em>'s&nbsp;<span><a href="https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/real-madrid/mbappe-neymar-and-cavani-against-real-madrids-weak-defence-6618965" target="_blank">Alejandro <span class="spellcheck">Alcazar</span></a>.</span><a href="https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/real-madrid/mbappe-neymar-and-cavani-against-real-madrids-weak-defence-6618965" target="_blank"></a></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span>The Madrid back line could do with revitalising, and&nbsp;<span><span class="spellcheck">Alderweireld</span> may be the ideal candidate to add solidity given he has been one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League over the past three seasons.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Thu, 15 Feb 2018 07:28:19 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759589-real-madrid-to-chase-toby-alderweireld-amid-tottenham-contract-stand-off-rumours
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759589-real-madrid-to-chase-toby-alderweireld-amid-tottenham-contract-stand-off-rumourshttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759589-real-madrid-to-chase-toby-alderweireld-amid-tottenham-contract-stand-off-rumoursSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaReal MadridBreaking NewsTransfer NewsAram MuradyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerToby AlderweireldLionel Messi Reportedly to Be Rested Regularly for the Remainder of the SeasonChristopher Simpson<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">Barcelona will reportedly rest <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/lionel-messi-F">Lionel Messi</a> before their biggest matches for the rest of the season.&nbsp;</p>
<p>According <em>Marca</em>'s <a href="http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2018/02/15/5a847ee4e2704ee25a8b466e.html" target="_blank">Luis F. Rojo</a>, the Argentinian and manager Ernesto Valverde have discussed the issue and agreed the rest would help get the best out of the forward in Barca's most important games.</p>
<p>As such, Messi could be rested for the weekend's clash with Eibar, which precedes the UEFA Champions League meeting with <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/chelsea">Chelsea</a>.</p>
<p>Per Rojo, Messi recently admitted that while he does not enjoy sitting on the bench, it could help keep him fresh:</p>
<p><em>"Whenever I have to sit on the bench, I get disturbed because I don't like to be off [the field].&nbsp;I like to participate, help from within, but I also understand that one season is long and that each day you have to take more care because the campaigns are getting tougher."</em></p>
<p>The 30-year-old has completed 90 minutes his 32 of his 36 appearances this season, scoring 27 goals and assisting 14 in that time.</p>
<p>Grup14's Rafael Hernandez praised Valverde's decision to rest the talisman during Barca's 1-1 draw with Espanyol earlier in February:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Though the Blaugrana were held to a 1-1 draw in that match, it was perhaps more due to the extreme weather conditions than Messi starting on the bench.</p>
<p>Messi already has a great deal of football in his legs this season, so managing his fitness to keep him as fresh as possible in the second half of the campaign is a shrewd move from Barcelona, and it will also benefit him for Argentina at the World Cup.</p>
<p>Barcelona are, naturally, not at their best when Messi is absent, but their other stars will need to do their best in the matches in which he's rested to ensure it does not prove costly.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Thu, 15 Feb 2018 07:21:53 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759590-lionel-messi-reportedly-to-be-rested-regularly-for-the-remainder-of-the-season
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759590-lionel-messi-reportedly-to-be-rested-regularly-for-the-remainder-of-the-seasonhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759590-lionel-messi-reportedly-to-be-rested-regularly-for-the-remainder-of-the-seasonSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaFC BarcelonaBreaking NewsAram MuradyanEdgar MovsisyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerLionel MessiZinedine Zidane Warns Real Madrid Will 'Suffer' in Paris; PSG Owner Rages at RefChristopher Simpson<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a> manager <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/zinedine-zidane">Zinedine Zidane</a>&nbsp;warned his players not to get too carried away after they beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 in the first leg of their&nbsp;UEFA Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, while PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi believes Los Blancos were "helped" by referee Gianluca Rocchi.</p>
<p>Zidane <a href="http://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2018/02/14/5a84bb12e2704ef51b8b4579.html">told reporters</a>:&nbsp;"This isn't over. There are 90 minutes-plus left.&nbsp;We are happy because we played a great match with personality and with our fans, who have always been behind the team.&nbsp;We have to be happy today but in three weeks we will play another match. We know that we are going to suffer."</p>
<p>PSG&nbsp;took a first-half lead at the Santiago Bernabeu through an unlikely source, Adrien Rabiot, but the hosts were soon level through a Cristiano Ronaldo&nbsp;penalty on the stroke of half-time after Giovani Lo Celso brought down Toni Kroos.</p>
<p>Late goals from Ronaldo and Marcelo sealed the victory for the Champions League holders.</p>
<p>Football journalist David Cartlidge praised Zidane:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Al-Khelaifi held the referee responsible for PSG's defeat, though. He told beIN Sports (h/t MailOnline's <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5393333/PSG-owner-slams-referee-loss-Real-Madrid.html" target="_blank">Glen Williams</a>):&nbsp;"The result was not just. I think we played better in the second half, we had our chances to score, but we made mistakes.&nbsp;"[Kylian] Mbappe was called offside. ... The referee's mistakes cost us. The referee has helped Madrid."</p>
<p>Per ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson, he added:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>PSG boss Unai Emery also had an issue with the officiating:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Despite their complaints, PSG benefited from a refereeing error in the match when Neymar escaped a second yellow card for diving, having already been booked for a foul on Nacho.</p>
<p>BBC Sport's John Bennett believed the Brazil international should have earned his marching orders:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Neymar's presence will be crucial to any comeback PSG hope to mount in the second leg, so Les Parisiens should perhaps count themselves fortunate.</p>
<p>Unlike PSG's president, their goalscorer placed the team's failure on themselves, per Get French Football News:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Though PSG have been able to compete with Europe's elite clubs financially since Qatar Sports Investments took over in 2011 and have brought in a great deal of talent during that time, they have not made it past the quarter-finals of the Champions League since 1995.</p>
<p>That perhaps hints at a mental fragility on the biggest stage, which they demonstrated last year, as they threw away a 4-0 lead against Barcelona in the last 16.</p>
<p>One of the reasons Neymar&nbsp;<span><span>was brought in was to help engineer European success, so PSG will look to him in the second leg at the Parc des Princes.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Their away goal will come in handy, but keeping Real out will be no mean feat, and Los Blancos' superior experience gives them a significant edge.</span></span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Thu, 15 Feb 2018 04:34:08 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759578-zinedine-zidane-warns-real-madrid-will-suffer-in-paris-psg-owner-rages-at-ref
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759578-zinedine-zidane-warns-real-madrid-will-suffer-in-paris-psg-owner-rages-at-refhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759578-zinedine-zidane-warns-real-madrid-will-suffer-in-paris-psg-owner-rages-at-refSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaReal MadridZinedine ZidaneUEFA Champions LeagueBreaking NewsAram MuradyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerEibar vs. Barcelona: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV InfoGianni Verschueren<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">Barcelona will face a big test in La Liga on Saturday, when they visit <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span></span> with an eye on maintaining their lead at the top of the standings.</p>
<p>The Catalans are winless in their last two matches in La Liga and need to find some momentum ahead of a difficult <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">UEFA</span></span> Champions League showdown with Chelsea on Tuesday.</p>
<p>The <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Blaugrana</span></span> can't afford to look past <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span></span>, however, who have won their last two matches and are battling for a European ticket.</p>
<p>Here's all you need to know about the upcoming fixture.</p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Date</strong>: Saturday, February 17</p>
<p><strong>Time</strong>: 3:15 p.m. GMT/10:15 a.m. ET</p>
<p><strong>Venue</strong>: <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Ipurua</span></span> Municipal Stadium, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span></span></p>
<p><strong>TV Info</strong>: <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">BeIN</span></span> Sports (U.S.)</p>
<p><strong>Live Stream</strong>: <a href="https://beinsportsconnect.tv/" target="_blank"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">BeIN</span></span> Sports Connect</a>, <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/welcome" target="_blank"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">fubo</span></span>.tv</a></p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Team News</strong></p>
<p>Samuel <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Umtiti</span></span> missed the scoreless draw against <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Getafe</span></span> through suspension and could return to the starting XI&#8213;although replacement <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Yerry</span></span> Mina impressed in his absence. Gerard Pique sat out that contest as well, and he's likely to be rested again, with the Chelsea clash on the horizon.</p>
<p>The Chelsea match could see the Catalans opt to rest several starters at the weekend. Per the club's <a href="https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2017-2018/video-training-session-fc-barcelona-12-02-18" target="_blank">official website</a>, several <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Barca</span></span> B starlets have been training with the first team. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Ousmane</span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Dembele</span></span> was ill and missed training, leaving his status in doubt.</p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Preview</strong></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span></span> enter Saturday's clash with plenty of momentum, to the delight of fans and pundits who love watching underdogs punch above their weight. The <em>Guardian</em>'s Sid Lowe is one of them:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Los <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Armeros</span></span> have always been an odd side, hailing from a town that has a population that could fit into the Camp <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Nou</span></span> multiple times. Hidden deep in the Basque hills, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span></span> is a tiny blue-collar town, completely unlike major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona.</p>
<p>COPA90 did a feature on the team and their unlikely success story:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>The town's identity is highlighted well by the team: <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span></span> play a brand of simple, no-nonsense football and prioritise results above all else. They are one of two clubs in La Liga's top seven with a negative goal difference, and they have scored just 32 goals in 23 outings&#8213;nearly half the output of Barcelona.</p>
<p>Like <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Getafe</span></span>, who held Barcelona in their last outing, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span></span> have the ability to keep things compact and frustrate their opponents before hitting them on the break or converting a set piece. They are a tough team to figure out and carry more momentum into this contest than their opponents.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>The Catalans can't afford to keep one eye on Chelsea&#8213;they'll have to be at their best at the <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Ipurua</span></span> Municipal Stadium to prevent a third straight disappointing result, especially now that <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Atletico</span></span> have won three in a row and reduced the gap to just seven points.</p>
<p>The <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Blaugrana</span></span> and <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Atletico</span></span> meet on March 4, and it's vital <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Atletico</span></span> don't get any closer before then.</p>
<p><em>Prediction: <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Eibar</span></span> 1-2 Barcelona</em></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Thu, 15 Feb 2018 02:00:05 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759472-eibar-vs-barcelona-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-info
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759472-eibar-vs-barcelona-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-infohttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759472-eibar-vs-barcelona-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-infoWorld FootballLa LigaPreview/PredictionGerard Piqué BernabéuSamuel UmtitiOusmane DembeleYerry MinaVinicius Junior: Making Great Strides but Not Ready for Real Madrid Life YetSam Tighe<p class="ui-droppable" dir="ltr"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><span>Just under a year ago, Vinicius Junior set tongues wagging with a series of earth-shattering displays for Brazil at the </span><span>South American Under-17 Football Championship.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>He showcased speed and a&nbsp;<span>rarely seen</span> dribbling ability, a penchant for a spectacular finish and a quite incredible mastery of tricks and flicks on the way to scooping the best player and top goalscorer awards&mdash;in addition to the trophy and gold medal for his team's victory.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a> liked what they saw and wasted little time, agreeing to pay his contract's &euro;45 million (&pound;39.6 million) buyout clause and </span><a href="https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2017/05/official-announcement-vinicius-junior"><span>striking a deal</span></a><span>&nbsp;with Flamengo that would see Vinicius Junior arrive in Spain in either 2018 or 2019, depending on his growth and progression. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>We are hurtling toward the earliest possible date on which the Brazilian can trade continents, so the question must be asked: Is he ready for the biggest of next steps?</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Having starred for the Selecao's under-17s, Vinicius Junior only had to wait a few months until he was drip-fed into Flamengo's senior side. A debut off the bench against Atletico Mineiro came in May, and a mini run of starts arrived in June.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>For the most part, though, he was limited to 20- to 30-minute appearances from the bench in 2017. Those cameos were frequent, if a little light on minutes, but a commitment was made to regularly involve him. He was even introduced in both legs of the Copa Sudamericana final against <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/independiente">Independiente</a> at the end of 2017&mdash;a tie&nbsp;Flamengo lost 3-2 on aggregate.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>This year, that tide has turned for the better. Coach Paulo Cesar Carpegiani has awarded Vinicius Junior more starts (three) than appearances off the bench (two) during this year's Rio State Championship&mdash;Brazil's regional-based precursor to the Serie A season&mdash;and the 17-year-old has responded with a pair of goals and some encouraging performances.</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The competition isn't of the highest quality, but it is positive development in relation to Vinicius Junior's exposure to first-team football.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>As a result, these first few months of 2018 represent a crucial juncture in the 17-year-old's career. Having been trusted with more playing time, and given the chance to start games rather than end them, Real Madrid's decision-makers have had the chance to assess him properly&mdash;rather than when he's taking advantage of tired legs in the closing stages of contests.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>They get to see whether the skills they fell in love with in 2017 can be transferred to the senior stage this year, how he will cope against significantly better defenders, whether his confidence drains after a few early missteps, whether he can influence games in the same way and whether he's added anything new to his repertoire.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>January's matches against Cabofriense, Bangu and Vasco da Gama revealed a confident character whose playing level has clearly risen. He scored against Cabofriense and assisted brilliantly against Bangu, mixing in trademark&nbsp;moves with new ones not previously seen when he rose to relative stardom in 2017.</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The goal against Cabofriense exemplified something he's added to his game: a predatory back-post threat. His ability to time and angle a run into the box&mdash;therefore creating a corridor of space in front of the full-back for him to attack&mdash;paid dividends against the Tricolor, and the move has&nbsp;almost brought him joy against others too.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The assist against Bangu was far closer to the player Real Madrid first saw. Picking the ball up on the right flank, he dribbled through a chain of three players before squaring it for striker Lincoln to tap home. Speed, mesmerising agility and impressive penalty-box awareness entwined.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The shimmies and feints, the stepovers and take-ons, are&nbsp;being delivered on a more glamorous stage. It's a big box ticked; it should satisfy any mild concerns anyone may have had that Vinicius Junior was simply an under-17 bully.</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>But there are still times when he's too individualistic. The crowd roars when he nutmegs defenders and slaloms around midfielders, but there's still an element of "I'll do a trick first and then look for my teammates" a little too often.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>That concept of how to play in a team is important, and even the most talented raw players can fail should they lack it&mdash;Adama Traore is a prime example of this. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The first thing Vinicius Junior did&nbsp;when he came on&nbsp;<span>against<span>&nbsp;</span></span>Botafogo recently was trap himself up against the sideline and attempt an elaborate backheel to escape. It went straight out of play.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>You expect those mishaps to disappear with experience, and it's important to remember he's still a kid with plenty of growing to do. For him to have only one notable flaw in his game is remarkable, and it's a reminder of why Real Madrid were happy to enter negotiations based on one tournament performance on a distant continent.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>But it's also an indication he's not ready to move to the Santiago&nbsp;Bernabeu this year. There's no shame in that. It doesn't make him a bad investment, and sensibility must reign supreme. Playing time is like gold dust to players at this age, and it's a particularly useful cure for the kind of issues Vinicius Junior is facing.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>He's not even an automatic starter for Flamengo. This year has seen an uplift in playing time, but there's strong competition for places, and it remains to be seen where Vinicius Junior stands once the Serie A season begins in April.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"If he has not even managed to establish himself here, it's hard to believe he will break through in a star-studded cast like Real Madrid's anytime soon," Flamengo fan Matheus Sampaio told Bleacher Report.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Binho<span><span>&nbsp;</span></span>Rascao added:&nbsp;</span>"He is the best talent to hail from Brazil since&nbsp;Neymar left [in 2013]. But he's still a 17-year-old who needs to be shaped."</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>There are questions over his maturity&mdash;particularly in the wake of his recent crybaby&nbsp;celebration, directed toward Botafogo fans&mdash;but he's a teenager playing and scoring against a rival. His actions brought derision from some quarters, even forcing Neymar&nbsp;to publicly defend him, per </span><em><a href="https://en.as.com/en/2018/02/12/football/1518434918_057786.html">AS</a></em><span>.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Because of the hype, the past 11 months have represented a tumultuous start to Vinicius Junior's professional footballing career. The questions over his future, the furore over his celebration and the amount of attention he's attracted have made things difficult.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>But separating all of that from his on-pitch offerings, and judging him by the strides he's making on grass, it's clear he's being gently ushered along the right track. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>There's no reason to speed that trajectory up unnecessarily; the next step should be a calendar year as a Flamengo starter, not a summer switch to begin life as a Galactico prematurely.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</span></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SamTigheBR/">Facebook.com/SamTigheBR</a></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/la-liga" title="La Liga analysis, news and photos">La Liga</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Thu, 15 Feb 2018 02:00:05 -0500http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759422-vinicius-junior-making-great-strides-but-not-ready-for-real-madrid-life-yet
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759422-vinicius-junior-making-great-strides-but-not-ready-for-real-madrid-life-yethttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759422-vinicius-junior-making-great-strides-but-not-ready-for-real-madrid-life-yetSoccerWorld FootballLa LigaReal MadridOpinionAram MuradyanSerge DebléChristian RamsebnerVinicius Jr